Hong Kong authorities have revealed that some of the nettings used on scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court complex were not compliant with fire-safety codes, following investigations into the catastrophic blaze that killed 151 people.
The findings contradict initial tests which suggested the defective nets met required standards. A further investigation, which collected 20 samples including from higher floors, found that seven of the samples failed fire-safety requirements.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan disclosed that the contractor responsible had knowingly used substandard materials for profit, saying their actions came “at the expense of people’s lives.”
Following the inferno, deemed Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in 75 years, 14 people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, including company directors and an engineering consultant. The fire, which burned for two days, spread rapidly after igniting netting that covered bamboo scaffolding and then extending to foam window panels, allowing flames to sweep across the building under strong winds.
Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the Police Casualty Enquiry Unit, said partial progress has been made in identifying victims. The Disaster Victim Identification Unit has so far searched five burned buildings and will submit a final report after completing work across all seven blocks.
Reports indicate that Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, home to around 4,600 residents, had previously faced complaints regarding construction-related safety violations and weak enforcement of regulations.
Meanwhile, three people have been arrested under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law for initiating a petition calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. Among them is student Miles Kwan, who reportedly launched a petition demanding guaranteed support for victims and transparency in the investigation.
Responding to public concerns, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said the arrests were made due to “inaccurate online comments” deemed threatening to national security, adding that operational details could not be disclosed.
Survivors of the fire are set to receive support from public donations, which have reached 900 million Hong Kong dollars. Thousands have laid flowers and messages at the site, as Monday marks the final day of the official mourning period declared by authorities.
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