Hong Kong Establishes Independent Committee to Investigate Deadly Fire Incident
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive has announced the creation of an independent committee to investigate the city’s deadliest fire in decades, following revelations that substandard construction materials intensified last week’s catastrophic blaze.
The inferno swept through seven residential towers undergoing renovation in the northern part of the city, claiming at least 156 lives, displacing thousands, and sparking widespread calls for accountability and systemic reform.
Police said on Tuesday that 29 of the confirmed victims were yet to be identified, while another 30 individuals remained missing.
Authorities also revealed that 15 people had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Preliminary findings indicate that the safety netting used on the buildings’ exterior scaffolding failed to meet fire-resistance standards, contributing to the rapid spread of the flames.
The newly established independent committee is expected to examine the cause of the fire, evaluate regulatory lapses, and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.
