The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
At least 13 people have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, approximately two days after it started, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to contain.
On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could last three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a fire alarm when the blaze started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has halted for now works on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was among a collective demanding an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An online petition collected more than 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also questioned by authorities, per news outlets.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, based on a population count.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. Some have lived in the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people lost their lives.
