Hong Kong authorities announced on Monday that their probe into a tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of at least 151 individuals uncovered deficiencies in the safety standards of the netting used on scaffolding during renovations. The fire, which started on Wednesday and was not fully extinguished until Friday, originated on the lower-level netting encasing bamboo scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court highrise complex. It spread inward as foam panels on windows ignited, shattering the glass and allowing the flames to leap from building to building, engulfing seven out of eight structures.
Initially, inspections indicated the netting met regulations, but upon further examination with 20 samples collected from various areas, including higher floors, seven samples failed safety criteria. Hong Kong’s chief secretary, Eric Chan, condemned contractors for cutting corners to maximize profits, jeopardizing lives in the process.
Donations for survivors of the tragedy had amassed 900 million Hong Kong dollars ($161 million Cdn) by Monday, with a display of public support evident through floral tributes left at a makeshift memorial near the affected buildings. The Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po housed around 4,600 residents.
The Hong Kong police’s Disaster Victim Identification Unit had searched five of the burned buildings, with efforts continuing in the remaining two to identify victims. Eight additional bodies were recovered on Monday, bringing the total to 39 unidentified bodies among those still missing. Authorities pledged to use private contributions and government funds to aid victims in rebuilding their homes and providing long-term assistance.
Residents had voiced concerns about the construction netting for nearly a year, with the Labour Department confirming multiple inspections and warnings issued to contractors regarding fire safety compliance. In response to the incident, Hong Kong’s anti-corruption authorities and police detained 13 individuals linked to a construction company.
The arrest of a petition organizer and others sparked debates on government accountability, although dissent in Hong Kong has been stifled since the 2019 protests against China’s extradition plans. The Office for Safeguarding National Security denounced alleged attempts to exploit the tragedy for disruptive purposes, leading to arrests on suspicion of sedition related to calls for accountability. Police maintained that actions taken were in accordance with the law.
The search for answers continues as Hong Kong grapples with the aftermath of the devastating fire, prompting introspection on safety standards, accountability, and the preservation of dissent in the region.