Hong Kong Sets Up Independent Inquiry After High-Rise Blaze Kills 151
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, has ordered the establishment of an independent investigation committee after a fire at the Wang Fuk Court public housing complex left at least 151 people dead, marking the city’s worst blaze in more than seven decades. Officials warn that the death toll may rise as recovery operations continue.
Inferno Sweeps Through Renovating Housing Estate
The disaster erupted last Wednesday when seven of the estate’s eight residential towers, all undergoing major renovation works, were engulfed in flames. Investigators later discovered that the protective mesh netting covering the buildings meant to shield the structures during construction, did not meet flame-retardant standards, allowing flames to accelerate upward and spread between the blocks almost instantly.
The fire burned uncontrollably for nearly 40 hours, finally being extinguished on Friday morning. More than 2,000 firefighters battled the inferno in a large-scale operation that stretched Hong Kong’s emergency services to their limits.
Failures in Fire Alarms Across All Blocks
Several survivors reported that no fire alarms sounded when the blaze began, leaving residents trapped and unaware of the danger. Hong Kong Fire Services later confirmed that all eight tower blocks had malfunctioning alarm systems at the time of the fire. Many of the residents, nearly 40% aged 65 or above, were particularly vulnerable and unable to evacuate quickly.
Arrests and Manslaughter Investigations
Police have arrested 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter, including Directors of the construction company in charge of the renovation project. The arrests follow early investigative findings suggesting negligence in the materials used and potential violations of safety standards.
Meanwhile, the Buildings Department has temporarily halted construction on 30 private projects across the city pending safety reviews linked to the ongoing investigation.
Independent Inquiry Ordered
Speaking at a news conference, Chief Executive Lee announced that the independent committee would be led by a judge and tasked with identifying the root causes of the tragedy and recommending “comprehensive reform” to prevent future disasters.
Pressed by reporters about whether he should retain his position amid public outrage, Lee acknowledged systemic failures but avoided giving a direct answer.
“Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages,” he said. “That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked.”
Sedition Arrests Stir Human Rights Concerns
In a separate development, Police on Saturday detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition. He was among a group petitioning for a fully independent public inquiry into the fire. Their online petition—quickly amassing over 10,000 signatures in less than 24 hours—was later wiped from the internet.
Local media also report that two others, including a former district councillor, were detained over the same issue.
When questioned about these arrests, Lee did not address the matter directly, stating instead that “criminals that commit offences must be taken to justice”, adding that he would not tolerate crimes that “exploit the tragedy”.
Human rights groups condemned the move, with Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch urging the Hong Kong government to prioritize transparency rather than suppressing public calls for accountability. Amnesty stated:
“Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire… rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions.”
A Community Devastated
Wang Fuk Court, built in 1983, provided 1,984 apartments for more than 4,600 residents. Some have lived there since the complex was completed, forming a longstanding community deeply shaken by the tragedy.
The fire has now become Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1918, when over 600 people died in the Happy Valley Racecourse disaster. The second deadliest occurred in 1948, claiming 176 lives in a warehouse explosion.
Investigation Expected to Take Weeks
Authorities say the fire investigation could span three to four weeks as Police gather evidence from the charred buildings. With more bodies yet to be recovered and identified, the full scale of the tragedy is still unfolding.
