HONG KONG — Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced on Tuesday that an independent committee will investigate the cause of the city’s deadliest fire in decades, which killed 151 people last week.
The blaze engulfed seven residential towers under construction in northern Hong Kong, displacing thousands and prompting public calls for accountability. A preliminary survey found that the scaffolding netting used on the buildings did not meet fire-resistance standards, allowing flames to spread rapidly.
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog and police have arrested 14 people, including 13 on suspicion of manslaughter. Lee said several failures had already been identified and pledged reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
The independent committee, to be led by a judge, will conduct a “comprehensive and in-depth review” of building practices to ensure accountability and close regulatory loopholes.
Lee criticized the suspects, saying they deliberately mixed substandard materials with compliant ones to evade inspections, calling their actions “evil.”
