Hong Kong Highrise Blaze Kills 151: Officials Cite Substandard Safety Netting Amid Sweeping Investigation & Arrests

Hong Kong Highrise Fire: Faulty Netting Blamed as Death Toll Reaches 151

A devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong, which claimed the lives of at least 151 people, has revealed critical failings in fire safety standards, according to officials. An ongoing investigation confirmed that some of the netting covering scaffolding during renovations at the Wang Fuk Court complex did not comply with fire-safety codes, sparking outrage and a wave of public sympathy.

Deadly Blaze Unveils Safety Breaches

The inferno, which ignited on a Wednesday and took until Friday to fully extinguish, originated in the lower-level netting around a building in the Tai Po suburb. Fueled by foam panels placed over windows, the flames quickly spread, blowing out glass and allowing winds to carry the fire from one building to another. Ultimately, seven out of eight high-rises within the complex were engulfed. Initial tests of the netting were satisfactory, but subsequent inspections of 20 samples from various floors revealed seven failed safety standards. Chief Secretary Eric Chan condemned contractors for allegedly prioritizing profits over human lives, stating, "They just wanted to make money at the expense of people's lives."

Community Rallies, Government Responds Amid Criticism

In the wake of the tragedy, the community has shown immense support. Donations for survivors have soared to 900 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $161 million Cdn) as of Monday, with a continuous stream of residents leaving flowers and tributes at a makeshift memorial. Loretta Loh, expressing the city's collective sorrow, remarked, "When something happens, we come out to help each other." The government has pledged an additional 300 million Hong Kong dollars ($53.9 million Cdn) for victims, offering cash subsidies for expenses like funerals and assistance with housing. So far, 683 residents have been placed in hotels and hostels, and 1,144 in transitional housing.

Ongoing Investigation and Mounting Concerns

Authorities have made significant progress in identifying victims, with police having searched five of the burned buildings and retrieving eight more bodies on Monday, bringing the total to 151. Dozens remain unaccounted for, some likely among the 39 unidentified bodies. Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the police casualty inquiry unit, noted that a final report would await the complete search of all seven affected blocks. Residents had reportedly voiced concerns about the construction netting for nearly a year. The Labour Department confirmed 16 inspections since July 2024, issuing multiple written warnings to contractors regarding fire safety – with the last inspection occurring just a week before the disaster.

Arrests and Stifling Dissent

Fourteen individuals, including construction company directors and an engineering consultant, have been arrested by anti-corruption authorities and police. However, public scrutiny extends to government accountability, a sensitive issue in Hong Kong. The city, which returned to Chinese control in 1997, has increasingly moved to suppress public criticism, citing national security. Since widespread protests in 2019, mass demonstrations are virtually banned, and opposition figures are barred from legislative elections. The Office for Safeguarding National Security denounced "evil schemes" aimed at exploiting the disaster to "create trouble." Notably, a man who organized an online petition for government accountability was arrested on suspicion of sedition, along with two others, including a volunteer assisting in Tai Po. Police declined to comment on specific arrests, stating actions are taken "according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law."