Hong Kong: Authorities of Hong Kong have ordered all buildings currently under renovation to remove their external scaffolding mesh, as investigations continue into the city’s worst fire disaster in decades.
Officials have confirmed that 159 people were killed in a blaze at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, while 31 remain missing. The fire spread rapidly across the exteriors of multiple towers, and investigators found that the protective mesh used during renovation failed to meet flame-retardant standards.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho announced that new testing guidelines for scaffolding materials will be released next week, highlighting that accountability will be pursued against contractors found using substandard mesh. Samples from several sites have already been collected for examination.
The removal order is expected to affect around 300 buildings, according to the media reports. Approximately 200 private residential and 10 public buildings across Hong Kong are currently undergoing renovation.
Police have arrested at least 15 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter as the investigation progresses. Authorities have completed searches inside all seven towers of the complex and are now inspecting external areas, including collapsed bamboo scaffolding, for remaining victims.
Police Commissioner Joe Chow said that 140 of the 159 bodies recovered so far have been identified, with victims ranging from one to 97 years old. Meanwhile, survivors continue to revisit the charred remains of their homes. Investigators are expected to release further findings in the coming weeks.
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