Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Hits 151 as Police Arrest 13 Suspects
Synopsis
Hong Kong officials detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter as the Wang Fuk Court fire death count reached 151. Authorities said certain bodies were reduced to ashes complicating recovery efforts. Investigations revealed the green mesh covering the scaffolding failed to meet fire resistance criteria. Contractors concealed materials in inaccessible spots. Over 40 remain unaccounted for. More than 1,100 relocated to shelters. Despite grievances residents were told this year the fire risk was minimal. Miles Kwan was taken into custody after initiating a petition demanding an investigation. Beijing warned against anti-China protests exploiting disaster.
On Monday Hong Kong officials announced they detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter during an investigation into the city's fatal fire, which has resulted in at least 151 fatalities to poor-quality renovation materials. Authorities kept searching the seven towers affected in Wednesday's calamity at the Wang Fuk Court estate, discovering the remains of residents in stairwells and on rooftops where they were trapped while attempting to escape the fire. Over 40 persons remain unaccounted for.
Corpses Reduced to Ashes
Several bodies have been turned to ashes so it may be impossible to find every person, police officer Tsang Shuk-yin informed reporters. She became emotional as she spoke. Officials, in charge of the inquiry stated at a news briefing that tests on samples of a green mesh covering bamboo scaffolding on the buildings during the fire failed to meet fire retardant criteria.
Contractors refurbishing the complex employed these materials in hard-to-access locations. Essentially they concealed them from the view of inspectors stated Chief Secretary Eric Chan. The foam insulation applied by the contractors also exacerbated the fire. Authorities have reported that the fire alarms at the complex were malfunctioning.
Mourners Pay Tribute
Thousands have gathered to honor the victims. Among them are nine domestic workers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. Queues of mourners extended over a kilometer beside a canal, near the estate. Vigils are also scheduled for this week in Tokyo, London and Taipei officials reported.
Small outbreaks of outrage arose due to ignored alerts about fire hazards leading Beijing to caution that it would suppress any protests against China. According to sources of the situation at least one individual involved in a petition demanding an independent investigation and a review of construction supervision was held for roughly two days. Authorities refused to comment on the incident.
Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang also declined to discuss operations during Monday's press briefing. I have also taken the chance to point out that some people, with hidden agendas exploit this time for society and an unfortunate incident to undermine Hong Kong and national security, he stated. Consequently we must implement measures, including enforcement actions.
Alerts Were Overlooked
Authorities informed residents of Wang Fuk Court that their fire risk was relatively minimal. This followed complaints from the residents, about fire dangers linked to the renovations according to the city's Labour Department. The residents expressed their worries in September 2024. This also covered the issue concerning the flammability of the mesh employed by contractors to enclose the scaffolding a department spokesperson mentioned.
Hong Kong's fire that killed the most number of people since 1948, a disaster that took 176 lives in a warehouse fire, has had a profound impact on the city that is also getting ready for weekend elections. Police arrested Miles Kwan, 24, a group member that organized a petition on Saturday, authorities said. The petition demanded an investigation into possible corruption and urged a review of the construction oversight system according to two individuals familiar with the situation. According to a Reuters observer Kwan was observed departing a police station by taxi on Monday afternoon.
According to the South China Morning Post two additional people have recently been detained over allegations of sedition. The authorities declined to confirm these reported arrests. On Saturday, the Chinese national security agency warned people not to take advantage of the disaster to involve Hong Kong in the mess which happened in 2019. This year was characterized by protests in favor of democracy that challenged Beijing and resulted in a political upheaval.
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