My Take | What Hong Kong can learn from deadly London flats blaze
Grenfell Tower fire eight years ago shows why we must ensure justice for Tai Po victims, as well as timely, effective reforms
A disaster on the scale of Hong Kong’s deadly Wang Fuk Court fire requires an immediate response to support victims, pursue those responsible and make sweeping changes that will ensure such a tragedy never occurs again.
Hong Kong is taking action on all these fronts following the blaze last month that killed 160 people, left around 5,000 homeless and plunged the city into mourning.
Survivors have quickly been provided with accommodation and compensation. Citywide safety checks have been conducted. There have been 21 arrests.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has promised to embark on “robust systematic reform”. An independent, judge-led inquiry is to investigate the fire, with a wide remit including safety requirements, supervision and routine maintenance of construction works.
The role and responsibilities of regulators, standards for building materials and systemic issues in the construction process are also to be probed, along with relevant legislation.
This is a positive step. The process should be transparent. Lee pledged the findings would be made public and said the probe, if necessary, could apply to be established as a Commission of Inquiry with more extensive investigative powers.