Hong Kong authorities announced on Monday that an investigation into a tragic fire that claimed the lives of at least 151 individuals uncovered deficiencies in the safety standards of the netting used in renovation scaffolding. The fire, which began on Wednesday and was not fully extinguished until Friday, originated on lower-level netting covering bamboo scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise complex. Subsequently, it spread indoors as foam panels on windows ignited, causing the glass to shatter. Strong winds then carried the flames from building to building, engulfing seven out of eight structures in the complex.
Initial inspections indicated that the netting met safety requirements, but further analysis of 20 samples from various areas, including higher floors, revealed that seven samples failed safety standards. Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s chief secretary, condemned the contractors for cutting corners to maximize profits at the expense of people’s lives.
Donations for survivors of the fire had reached 900 million Hong Kong dollars ($161 million Cdn) by Monday, with a continuous outpouring of support from the public through tributes placed at a memorial near the site. The Wang Fuk Court complex, situated in Tai Po suburb, housed around 4,600 residents.
The Hong Kong police force’s Disaster Victim Identification Unit had searched five of the burned buildings, with ongoing efforts to clear the remaining two. Additional bodies, including those previously inaccessible, were recovered on Monday. Despite several individuals still missing, Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the police casualty inquiry unit, confirmed that a final report on the fatalities would be compiled once all blocks were thoroughly examined.
Both private donations and government funds amounting to 300 million Hong Kong dollars ($53.9 million Cdn) will be allocated to assist victims in rebuilding and providing long-term support. Authorities have facilitated temporary accommodations for affected residents, with ongoing efforts to ensure their welfare.
Following residents’ complaints over a year regarding construction netting safety, the Labour Department disclosed multiple inspections and warnings to contractors to adhere to fire safety regulations. Thirteen individuals, including company directors and an engineering consultant, have been arrested by anti-corruption authorities and the police.
As concerns over government accountability mount, restrictions on dissent in Hong Kong have intensified since the 2019 protests against extradition laws to mainland China. The Office for Safeguarding National Security denounced attempts to exploit the disaster for disruptive purposes, leading to the arrest of individuals involved in calling for governmental responsibility.