Hong Kong Mourns: Arrests Made After Deadliest Fire in Decades Claims 128 Lives

Summary

Hong Kong has entered a somber three-day mourning period following the city’s deadliest fire in nearly 80 years. On Saturday morning, city leader John Lee joined other officials outside government headquarters to observe a moment of silence, while flags across the region flew at half-mast to honor the victims.

The tragedy occurred at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the Tai Po district, where a massive blaze rapidly engulfed seven of the estate’s eight tower blocks. The confirmed death toll has risen to 128, with 83 people injured and 150 residents still unaccounted for. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly two days before bringing the situation under control.

Initial investigations suggest that flammable construction materials played a major role in the disaster. Authorities noted that polystyrene placed on window exteriors, along with plastic netting and traditional bamboo scaffolding used for renovations, facilitated the fire’s rapid spread. This has sparked intense public debate regarding the safety of such construction methods on high-rise buildings.

In the wake of the Hong Kong fire, police have launched a criminal investigation. Eight individuals, including directors of an engineering firm and scaffolding subcontractors, have been arrested on suspicion of corruption related to the renovation works. Three others were previously detained on manslaughter charges.

Public anger is mounting as residents report a history of negligence, including broken fire alarms that failed to operate effectively during the emergency. The government has set up memorial points across the city for the public to sign condolence books, while the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) continues its probe into the devastating event.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dy9lne2plo