Hong Kong fire investigation launched after 151 deaths
The Hong Kong authorities will create an independent commission led by a judge to investigate the causes of the city's deadliest fatal blaze in decades, Chief Executive John Lee announced on Tuesday.
The measure comes as the tragedy's Hong Kong fire toll has reached at least 151 deaths, with approximately 30 people still missing, according to Reuters. This follows the devastating Wang Fuk Court fire.
Police have arrested 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter, and 12 others are being investigated in a separate corruption probe. It is not yet clear whether these cases overlap.
Flammable Materials Cited as Main Disaster Factor
The fire erupted at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, home to over 4,000 residents, and rapidly consumed seven tower blocks. Authorities have cited non-compliant plastic nets and insulating foam—flammable materials used by contractors to cover scaffolding—as creating a lethal chimney effect, rapidly engulfing the structures.
"To avoid the recurrence of such tragedies, I will establish an independent commission led by a judge, which will examine the causes of the fire, the speed of its spread, and other related aspects," John Lee said.
Investigators have managed to enter five of the seven affected buildings. They discovered victims inside apartments, on rooftops, and collapsed in stairwells, where people made desperate attempts to escape the raging flames.
Several civic groups have called for transparency and accountability. However, authorities have warned that any attempt to "politize" the matter will be sanctioned. A student was detained and subsequently released, while local media reports two other people are being investigated for possible acts of incitement against the authorities.
"I will not tolerate any crime, especially those that exploit this tragedy," John Lee stated, refusing to comment on individual cases.
International human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), accuse the authorities of attempting to silence critics. "It is crucial that those demanding answers about this tragic fire are not treated as criminals," said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW.
China also issued a warning, urging that the tragedy not be used to provoke "chaos" similar to the pro-democracy protests of 2019.
Prior Warnings from Residents Confirmed
Authorities confirmed that residents of Wang Fuk Court had filed formal complaints back in September 2024 regarding significant fire hazards, specifically highlighting the flammability of the contractor-used netting.
Post-fire tests revealed that the building materials did not meet fire resistance standards. Furthermore, some faulty installations were placed in hard-to-reach locations, effectively hidden from technical inspectors. Additionally, fire alarms were found to be non-operational.
Prolonged Search Operations Underway
Searches continue in the two most severely damaged towers, and authorities warn the operation could last for several weeks. Police images show carbonized rooms, furniture reduced to ash, and rescue teams wading through water used to extinguish the fire, which burned for multiple days.
Nearly 1,500 residents have been moved from evacuation centers to temporary housing, with another 945 assigned to youth hostels and hotels. Families who lost their possessions received emergency funds of HK$10,000 (approx. US$1,284), and authorities are assisting with the reissuance of personal documents.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
