Hong Kong leader John Lee on Tuesday announced an independent investigation into the housing block fire tragedy that killed at least 151 people.
Lee said there were serious problems regarding construction and supervision and that people would be held accountable.
What do we know about the Hong Kong fire investigation?
Lee, the region’s chief executive, said a judge-led committee would review building practices.
Officials have said the fire spread rapidly through the mesh of the exterior scaffolding that failed to meet fire-resistance standards.
Lee said authorities have already identified a number of failings and that safety rules, supervision procedures and overall standards will need to be improved.
“I call for a thorough investigation and serious reforms,” Lee said. “We will remove the barriers of vested interests and hold accountability, whoever it may be.”
“The shortcomings will be addressed,” he said. “Bottlenecks will be removed. And we will reform the entire building renovation system to ensure that such things do not happen again.”
While Hong Kong generally relies on such “commissions of inquiry” for major fact-finding investigations, a system inherited from British rule, Lee uses the term “independent committee”.
What is the cause of fire in Hong Kong?
Officials have highlighted the role of high winds and substandard materials, including highly flammable foam panels used to block windows and green construction netting that was legally required to be flame-retardant.
The fire spread to seven of the eight towers of the Wang Phuc Court residential complex. The fire continued to burn for more than 40 hours.
Li said that those responsible had mixed unsafe nets with compliant materials “to deceive inspection”.
Police and Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency have detained 14 people, including directors of a construction company and an engineering consultant. Thirteen people have also been arrested on suspicion of murder. It is unclear which individuals overlap between the two investigations.
Authorities have warned that attempts to politicize the tragedy will have serious consequences.
While some civic groups have called for greater transparency, officials have warned that attempts to politicize events will have serious consequences.
Local media reported that two men were being investigated for suspected treason, while a student was detained and later released on bail. Police have not commented on the cases. Lee said: “I will not tolerate any crimes, especially crimes that take advantage of the tragedy we are facing right now.”
International human rights groups have expressed concern. “It is vitally important that those demanding answers for the tragic fire not be treated like criminals,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Edited by: Elisabeth Schumacher