Hong Kong leader initiates probe into tragic fire claiming 151 lives

Hong Kongs Chief Executive, John Lee, has announced the formation of an independent panel to examine the causes of a catastrophic fire that claimed at least 151 lives. The blaze erupted last Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, where seven of its eight towerscurrently undergoing major renovationswere engulfed in flames.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the protective netting around the buildings did not meet required fire-resistant standards. Authorities have arrested at least 13 individuals, including directors of the construction company responsible for the renovations, on suspicion of manslaughter. This incident is the deadliest fire Hong Kong has experienced in over seven decades, and officials caution that the death toll may still rise as recovery efforts continue.

Chief Executive Lee confirmed that the judicial-led committee would undertake a "comprehensive reform" of safety procedures to prevent similar tragedies. Speaking at a press briefing, he acknowledged the need for reform but did not directly answer questions regarding his own position. "Yes, this is a serious tragedy. Failures occurred at multiple levels, which is why immediate action is crucial," he stated.

The fire spread rapidly both vertically and horizontally across the towers, fueled by flammable exterior materials and protective mesh. It took over 2,000 firefighters nearly 40 hours to extinguish the flames. Police entered the buildings on the same day to collect evidence, with officials estimating that the investigation could take three to four weeks.

Residents reported that fire alarms did not sound at the time of the fire, and Hong Kong's fire department confirmed that alarms in all eight towers were ineffective. Following the disaster, the citys buildings authority temporarily halted construction on 30 private projects.

Separately, police detained a 24-year-old man for alleged sedition after he participated in a campaign demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. Local media report that two others, including a former district councillor, were also taken into custody. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticized these arrests, urging Hong Kong authorities to focus on investigating the fire rather than suppressing inquiries. Lee responded by emphasizing that anyone committing crimes would be held accountable and that exploiting the tragedy would not be tolerated.

Wang Fuk Court, constructed in 1983, housed nearly 4,600 residents across 1,984 apartments, according to a 2021 census. Roughly 40% of its residents are aged 65 or older, and many have lived in the estate since its opening. Historically, Hong Kong has seen few fires of this magnitude, with the last major incidents occurring in 1948, when 176 people died, and in 1918 at Happy Valley Racecourse, which claimed over 600 lives.

The city has begun three days of mourning following its deadliest fire in decades, as residents come to terms with the scale of the tragedy and authorities work to uncover the causes.

Author: Sophia Brooks