In , a city where millions of people live “stuck” together like books on a shelf, the fear that a large fire would trap residents on the floors was ever-present. On Wednesday, that nightmare took on dramatic proportions.
A blaze that started at a 32-story tower and six other skyscrapers turned an entire apartment complex into . It is the deadliest fire in the city since 1957, when 59 people lost their lives. 300 remain missing, while serious questions are raised about the security of the buildings and possible corruption.
The fire spread like lightning
At least 83 people have died in the massive fire that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court complex in the Tai Po district of northern Hong Kong. About 70 injured are being treated, many in critical condition.
Hundreds of firefighters battled for a second day to put out the flames and locate those trapped, while relatives waited anxiously outside a community center where police displayed photographs of the victims.
Materials that acted as “kindling”
Authorities are focusing on two factors that dramatically accelerated the spread of the fire:
- The green protective net that covered the buildings, due to renovation and
- the sheets of expanded polystyrene that were stuck to the windows.
The police arrested two managers and a consultant of the Prestige Construction and Engineering company, citing manslaughter and possible use of uncertified materials.
Experts point out that both netting and bamboo scaffolding, which are still widely used in Hong Kong, fueled the fire. The government had already announced their gradual replacement with metal ones, while another related fire had recently occurred.
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Complaints of lack of alarm and anger at the state
Residents – many elderly – said no alarm was raised, while several were saved by luck. Lau Yu Hang, 78, said it was only from a small crack in the foam covering the window that he realized the building next door was engulfed in flames and managed to escape.
The complex is home to around 2,000 households, mostly pensioners, who bought their apartments through a subsidized scheme in the 1980s.
Shadows of corruption and political impact
The scale of the disaster has sparked outrage and questions about whether the building safety inspection system is keeping up with the needs of an aging society, as well as possible corruption and relationships between contractors and apartment building management committees. Former MP Emily Lau spoke of a “scandalous failure of oversight” and “opening Pandora’s box”.
Journalism professor Wang Xiangwei openly raised the question: “Should a senior official take political responsibility?”
Pressure from Beijing – Li reacts with aggressive checks
Following Xi Jinping’s order for an “all-out military” response to the crisis, John Lee’s government announced:
- HK$300 million ($38 million) fund for those affected
- Scrutiny checks on all complexes under renovation
- Special team of the anti-corruption agency for possible irregularities in the projects
The tragedy comes as Beijing pushes to reform the housing market and boost the economy, adding to the government’s political headache.
Agony of relatives looking for answers
Outside the community center, families wait in silence to see photos of the victims. The 68-year-old S.F. Chiang searched for her 62-year-old brother and her 24-year-old niece, to no avail. “My heart aches when I think about them,” she said brokenly.
