HONG KONG (XINHUA/REUTERS)
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will set up an independent commission chaired by a judge to investigate the cause of the city's deadliest fire in decades, and to review government oversight of building renovations blamed for fanning a blaze that killed at least 151 people, John Lee, HKSAR chief executive, told reporters on Tuesday.
Police have arrested 13 people for suspected manslaughter in a criminal inquiry into last week's tragedy, and 12 people have also been arrested in a corruption probe. It is unclear if any of those people were arrested on both counts.
Authorities have pointed to substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used during renovation works at Wang Fuk Court for fuelling a blaze that quickly spread to seven high-rise towers, home to more than 4,000 people.
"In order to avoid similar tragedies again, I will set up a judge-led independent committee to examine the reason behind the cause and rapid spreading (of the fire) and related issues," John Lee told a news conference.
Investigators have combed all but two of the seven burnt-out towers, finding bodies of residents in stairwells and on rooftops, trapped as they tried to flee the flames.
Around 30 people are still missing.
"I will not tolerate any crimes, particularly crimes that exploit the tragedy that we are facing now," Lee said.
He emphasised that the HKSAR government is sparing no effort to support those affected. Measures include activating temporary shelters, and arranging for some 2,500 people to take up temporary residence in transitional housing and hotels in phases.
The chief executive pointed out that the blaze has exposed failures across multiple links, making systemic reforms imperative. An independent commission will be set up to probe the fire, Lee said, adding that the HKSAR government will provide all necessary data and other support required for the investigation, and the commission will submit recommendations and reports to him.
Lee stressed that rescue operations will not cease, and no affected family will be abandoned. The HKSAR government will assist Families in rebuilding their homes.
Residents of Wang Fuk Court were told by authorities last year they faced "relatively low fire risks" after complaining about fire hazards posed by the renovations, the city's Labour Department said.
The residents raised concerns in September 2024, including about the potential flammability of the mesh that contractors used to cover the bamboo scaffolding, a department spokesperson said. Tests on several samples of mesh on the buildings at the time of the blaze did not match fire-retardant standards, officials overseeing the investigations told a news conference on Monday.
Contractors working on the renovations used these substandard materials in hard-to-reach areas, effectively hiding them from inspectors, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said.
Foam insulation used by contractors also fanned the flames and fire alarms at the complex were not working properly, officials have said. Thousands of the city's residents have paid tribute to the victims, who include nine domestic helpers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines.
Vigils are also due to take place this week in Tokyo and London. A funeral parlour in central Hong Kong held a memorial on Tuesday to mark the seventh day since the deadly fire, a Chinese custom known as soul return day.
Hundreds prayed, wept, and made lotus-shaped paper offerings, a symbol of spiritual rebirth in mourning rituals.
"I hope that...people can release what’s in their hearts. That way, it will be easier for all of us to move forward in life," said Bryan Kam, general manager of the Kowloon funeral parlour.
Search Continues
The remaining buildings being scoured for remains are the worst damaged and the search may take weeks, authorities have said.
Images shared by police showed officers clad in hazmat suits, face masks and helmets, inspecting rooms with blackened walls and furniture reduced to ashes, and wading through water used to douse fires that raged for days.
Residents who escaped the blaze must now try to get their lives back on track.
Nearly 1,500 people have been moved out of evacuation centres into temporary housing, with a further 945 put up in youth hostels and hotels, authorities said.
More than 60 pets, including 34 cats, 12 dogs and seven turtles, perished in the fire, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said. More than 200 were rescued.