HONG KONG — In response to one of the city’s most devastating fire disasters in decades, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee announced Tuesday the establishment of an independent judicial commission to investigate the catastrophic apartment blaze that claimed at least 151 lives. The comprehensive inquiry will be chaired by a sitting judge and aims to determine the root causes of the tragedy while formulating preventive measures to avoid future occurrences.
The inferno erupted at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex during ongoing maintenance operations, rapidly consuming scaffolding encasement and spreading across seven of the eight towers in the housing estate. The disaster has left thousands of the complex’s 4,600 residents displaced and homeless, creating a severe humanitarian crisis in the densely populated urban center.
Preliminary investigations indicate multiple contributing factors, including adverse weather conditions with high winds and the use of highly flammable construction materials. Authorities have identified substandard foam panels and non-compliant flame-retardant netting as primary accelerants that enabled the fire’s rapid escalation, overwhelming emergency response efforts.
Chief Executive Lee delivered strong statements during his weekly media briefing, which was entirely dedicated to addressing the tragedy. He vowed to confront entrenched interests and ensure full accountability, stating, ‘We must uncover the truth, ensure that justice is served, let the deceased rest in peace and provide comfort to the living.’
Law enforcement agencies have already taken decisive action, with police and anti-corruption authorities detaining 14 individuals connected to the construction project. Those arrested include company directors and engineering consultants, with thirteen facing potential manslaughter charges for allegedly mixing certified and substandard safety materials to deceive inspection protocols.