The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Deadly Inferno that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that construction site netting surrounding the buildings fell short of fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these gaps are plucked," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it began, and took in excess of 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
That very day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the investigation could last approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident started. The city's fire department determined that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has put on hold works on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, police reportedly detained a young man on allegations of sedition on Saturday. He was part of a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, according to news outlets.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.
Almost four in ten of its residents are believed to be at least 65 years of age. A number have lived in the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals lost their lives.
