Hong Kong remains gripped by grief and mounting anger following the catastrophic high-rise blaze that claimed 128 lives and left 150 individuals missing. The devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district has triggered both public mourning and government apprehension about potential social unrest.
Authorities have initiated parallel criminal and corruption investigations into the tragedy, with 11 individuals already detained in connection with the incident. The investigation focuses on possible use of unsafe materials during ongoing renovations at the residential complex, where seven of eight 32-story towers were engulfed in flames despite being wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh.
Tensions escalated when police arrested 24-year-old university student Miles Kwan on suspicion of inciting sedition through a petition demanding government accountability. The online petition had gathered over 10,000 signatures before being shut down, calling for an independent probe into potential corruption, proper resident resettlement, and comprehensive review of construction oversight protocols.
China’s national security apparatus issued a stern warning against attempts to exploit the tragedy, stating that ‘anti-China disruptors’ would face severe punishment under Hong Kong’s national security legislation. This response reflects authorities’ heightened sensitivity following the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
Revelations have emerged that residents had previously raised concerns about fire hazards posed by the renovation work, including questions about the flammability of protective green mesh covering the scaffolding. Despite these warnings, officials had assured residents of ‘relatively low fire risks’ just last year.
The tragedy represents Hong Kong’s deadliest fire incident since 1948, exposing critical safety failures as investigations confirm the complex’s fire alarm systems were not functioning properly at the time of the disaster. Rescue operations have concluded, though authorities anticipate discovering additional victims during ongoing building assessments.