Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Fire that Claimed Lives of 151

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 residents.

A Fire of Historic Proportions

Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.

A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these gaps are addressed," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by the end of the week, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could require three to four weeks.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire started. Local firefighters discovered that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has put on hold works on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was among a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected over 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its page was taken down.

A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by police, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, based on a recent official survey.

Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 people died.