Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has commissioned an independent committee to investigate a fire that resulted in at least 151 fatalities. The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, where seven of eight tower blocks, then undergoing extensive renovations, caught fire.
Investigation Details
Investigators have determined that the protective netting utilized around the affected buildings did not comply with flame retardant specifications. Thirteen individuals, including directors of a construction company, have been apprehended on suspicion of manslaughter. The fire represents the most significant loss of life from a single fire incident in Hong Kong in over 70 years, with the possibility of further body recovery.
Government Response
Chief Executive Lee stated the committee would be judicially led and tasked with implementing "comprehensive reform" to prevent similar future events. He acknowledged that reform was necessary and that "failures in different stages" had been identified. The fire, which propagated rapidly both vertically and horizontally between the blocks, was extinguished on Friday morning, approximately 40 hours after its initiation. Over 2,000 firefighters were deployed to control the blaze. Police commenced evidence collection upon the fire's containment, with the investigation projected to last three to four weeks. Officials noted that the rapid spread of flames across the separate tower blocks was facilitated by protective mesh netting and other flammable materials on the exterior of the structures. Multiple residents reported an absence of fire alarms during the initial outbreak. The Hong Kong fire service subsequently confirmed that alarms in all eight blocks were inoperative. In response, Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily halted work on 30 private construction projects.
Related Arrests
A 24-year-old male was detained on Saturday under suspicion of sedition. This individual was reportedly part of a group advocating for an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition on the matter garnered over 10,000 signatures before its content was removed. Local media also reported the detention of two other individuals, including a former district councillor, by police. When questioned about these arrests, Chief Executive Lee commented that "criminals that commit offences must be taken to justice" and that he would "not tolerate any crimes, particularly crimes that exploit the tragedy that we are facing now." Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have issued statements criticizing the reported arrests, advocating for transparent investigations rather than the silencing of legitimate inquiries.