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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, comprising the directors of a contractor.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.

The Probe and Its Consequences

The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last approximately a month.

Shortcomings Uncovered

Several residents have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department found that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has halted for now renovation projects on 30 private projects.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by authorities, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was built in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents, based on a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are believed to be over 65 years of age. Some have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.

Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 attendees perished.