Hong Kong to set up independent panel to investigate deadly apartment fire

Hong Kong will establish an independent committee led by a judge to determine the cause of a devastating apartment block fire that has left at least 156 people dead and dozens missing, the city’s leader announced on Tuesday. The panel will also make recommendations to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

Chief Executive John Lee pledged to tackle vested interests and bring about systemic change in the construction industry. Police confirmed that the death toll had risen after more bodies were discovered, with around 30 people still unaccounted for.

“We must uncover the truth, ensure that justice is served, let the deceased rest in peace and provide comfort to the living,” Lee said at a weekly press conference. “We want to ensure that we will prevent such a tragedy from happening again.”

The fire broke out last Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court complex in the Tai Po district, starting near scaffolding before spreading to seven of the eight towers. The complex housed more than 4,600 residents, many of whom have been left homeless. Forty people remain hospitalised, Lee said.

At least 14 people have been arrested, including scaffolding contractors, company directors and an engineering consultant, as part of an investigation into suspected corruption and negligence in the renovation project. Authorities have been examining why the fire spread so rapidly, overwhelming firefighting efforts.

Survivor May Liang, who was out to lunch with her husband when the fire began, welcomed the creation of the independent committee. “Everyone, every Hong Kong citizen, every person affected by this accident, all of them want to know the truth of this fire,” she said. The couple lost all their belongings in the blaze.

Lee declined to comment on media reports suggesting that arrests made over the weekend included critics of the government. “I will not tolerate any crimes, particularly crimes that exploit the tragedy that we are facing now,” he said.

Authorities have cited both high winds and substandard materials used in the renovation work as contributing factors. Investigators found contractors had used substandard netting alongside approved materials to deceive inspectors. Of 20 samples of netting collected, seven failed safety standards.

Lee vowed a complete reform of Hong Kong’s building renovation system.

John Burns, honorary professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong, said a credible investigation would be vital to restoring public trust. “It’s in everyone’s interest that the process and results of the investigations be credible,” he said. “Transparency is crucial for restoring trust.”

Lee added that 2,500 residents have been moved to transitional housing, including government units, hostels and hotels, while about 20 people remain in temporary shelters.