Hong Kong will form an independent committee led by a judge to investigate last week’s deadly high-rise fire, Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday, promising full transparency and major reforms in the city’s construction sector.
Lee said the probe must determine what caused the fire and identify failures that allowed it to spread so quickly. Police said more bodies were recovered on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to at least 156. Around 30 people remain missing one week after the blaze.
Lee told reporters the investigation must “uncover the truth” and ensure justice for the victims. He said the government is committed to preventing similar tragedies and will push through reforms despite resistance from vested interests.
The fire began last Wednesday around scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. It rapidly engulfed seven of the estate’s eight towers, home to over 4,600 residents. Many families have been left homeless, and 40 injured people are still in hospital.
Survivors welcomed the decision to set up an independent committee. May Liang, who lost all her belongings, said residents deserve to know exactly what went wrong.
At least 15 people have been arrested by police and anti-corruption investigators. Those detained include scaffolding contractors, company executives and an engineering consultant, as authorities examine suspected corruption and negligence tied to a renovation project at the site.
Early findings show the fire spread unusually fast because of strong winds and substandard materials used during maintenance work. Authorities said Monday that contractors used low-quality safety netting. Investigators collected 20 samples from the complex, and seven failed safety standards. Lee said some contractors mixed approved materials with substandard ones to deceive inspectors.
He pledged a full overhaul of Hong Kong’s building renovation system.
Lee declined to comment on media reports that recent arrests were aimed at suppressing criticism of the government. One person was reportedly detained for a petition demanding accountability. Lee said he would not tolerate crimes that try to “exploit the tragedy.”
John Burns, an honorary professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the public will expect credible findings. He added that transparency is essential to restore trust in the government.
Authorities have moved 2,500 residents into temporary housing, including government flats, hostels and hotels. About 20 people remain in emergency shelters, down from hundreds on the first night.