A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential compound in Hong Kong has claimed 75 lives, marking the city's deadliest blaze in over seven decades. The inferno ravaged seven of the eight high-rise buildings in the estate, which was home to approximately 4,800 residents, with hundreds more still reported missing as rescue operations continue.
Public Outcry and Political Fallout
As firefighters battle to control the flames, public anger is intensifying over the causes of the tragedy. The disaster has highlighted Hong Kong's severe affordable housing crisis, where exorbitant property prices force many into densely packed high-rises that can become death traps during emergencies.
At a Thursday press conference, Hong Kong leader John Lee announced a HK$300 million relief fund for affected residents. He stated the development bureau had discussed replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives and gave contractors seven days to provide documentation proving their use of fire-retardant materials.
However, the focus on bamboo scaffolding has sparked controversy among residents. Much of the bamboo structure remained standing after the fire, with only the green mesh between poles incinerated. Critics argue that blaming bamboo - which the government had already pledged to phase out from public works - deflects from determining the fire's actual cause, which remains unknown.
Historical Complaints and Arrests Made
According to Michael Mo, a former Hong Kong district councillor now living in the UK, Wang Fuk Court residents had complained for months about shoddy behaviour from the construction company. Mo, who was born in the Tai Po area where the compound is located, revealed that residents had previously raised concerns about maintenance works.
Last year, an email purportedly from the Hong Kong Labour Department was shared in a residents' group, stating that because the works didn't involve open flames, "the risk of fire from the scaffolding is relatively low." The email noted that Labour Department regulations didn't cover flame-retardant standards for scaffolding.
Hong Kong police have arrested three people connected with the building maintenance company responsible for the estate. The city's corruption watchdog has also announced it will launch a criminal investigation into the renovation works.
Erosion of Trust and Beijing's Response
The tragedy occurs amid declining public trust in Hong Kong's authorities following Beijing's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement. Michael Mo expressed scepticism about the likelihood of an independent inquiry, noting: "I don't think the government will launch an independent committee on this. They didn't do it for Covid. If they are going to do it, John Lee would be cooked."
He added that since the elimination of the pro-democratic camp and civil society, "there is no opposition to voice out alarm bells effectively" and no mechanism to ensure government accountability.
Beijing has responded swiftly to the disaster. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an "all-out effort" to extinguish the fire and minimise casualties. Chinese companies including BYD, Geely and Alibaba have pledged tens of millions in aid donations, while the People's Liberation Army expressed readiness to safeguard the city.
Leader John Lee has hinted that the upcoming Legislative Council elections, scheduled for 7 December, could be postponed due to the disaster. The elections were last postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, a move that also served to silence the pro-democratic camp. This year's vote is expected to be a "patriots only" election.
