Hong Kong authorities have arrested 13 people for suspected manslaughter following the city’s deadliest fire in decades, which has claimed at least 151 lives. Officials said on Monday that substandard renovation materials likely fuelled the blaze, which engulfed seven towers at the Wang Fuk Court estate last Wednesday.
Police continued searching the high-rise blocks, where many victims were found in stairwells and on rooftops as they tried to escape. More than 40 people remain missing, with police official Tsung Shuk Yin saying some bodies had been reduced to ash, making recovery efforts extremely difficult.
Unsafe Materials Blamed for Spreading Fire
Tests on samples of a green mesh used to wrap bamboo scaffolding during renovations revealed the material did not meet fire retardant standards. Chief Secretary Eric Chan said contractors had hidden these unsafe materials in hard-to-reach areas, preventing inspectors from detecting the risks.
Investigators also found that foam insulation worsened the fire’s spread, while fire alarms in the complex were not functioning properly. Thousands of residents have been displaced, and more than 1,100 have been relocated to temporary housing, while 680 others are staying in youth hostels and hotels.
Authorities have offered HK$10,000 ($1,284) in emergency funds per household and assistance with replacing identity cards, passports, and other documents lost in the disaster.
Public Mourning and Rising Anger
Thousands of mourners have gathered to honour the victims, including at least nine Indonesian domestic helpers and one from the Philippines. Long queues of mourners stretched more than a kilometre along a nearby canal, as the city collectively grieved. Vigils are also planned in Tokyo, London, and Taipei.
Public anger has intensified amid reports that residents had previously warned officials about fire hazards related to renovation work. Authorities last year reportedly told residents the buildings carried a “relatively low fire risk,” despite their complaints about flammable scaffolding materials.
Political Tensions and Crackdown Warnings
The tragedy has sparked fresh political tensions ahead of Hong Kong’s legislative elections. Police recently detained at least one person involved in a petition calling for an independent investigation into possible corruption and construction oversight failures.
Two more individuals have reportedly been arrested for “seditious intent.” China’s national security office has warned against using the disaster to incite unrest, vowing to punish anyone attempting to “disrupt Hong Kong through disaster.”
This fire, the deadliest since 1948 when 176 people were killed in a warehouse blaze, has left the city shaken and searching for accountability.
(with inputs from Reuters)
