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Hong Kong authorities have mandated the immediate removal of all scaffolding mesh from buildings undergoing renovation by Saturday. This directive comes as the investigation into the Chinese territory’s deadliest inferno in decades continues to unfold, with the death toll from last Wednesday’s devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex now standing at 159, and 31 individuals still reported missing.
Investigators have confirmed that the protective netting used around the Wang Fuk Court complex, which was undergoing extensive refurbishment, failed to meet crucial flame retardant standards. In response, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho announced that new guidelines for testing scaffolding materials would be issued next week. Millenium TV has learned that approximately 200 private residential buildings and 10 public structures across Hong Kong are currently undergoing renovations, with the removal order expected to impact around 300 buildings in total.
“I assure the public that we will chase to the end the accountability of any contractors using substandard scaffolding mesh,” Linn stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to holding responsible parties accountable. She also mentioned that samples of the mesh had already been collected for testing.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court spread with alarming speed across the separate tower blocks, fueled by the protective mesh netting and other flammable materials on the buildings’ exteriors, according to officials. Police have made at least 15 arrests on manslaughter charges as their rigorous investigation into the fire’s origin proceeds.
On Wednesday, police confirmed the completion of interior searches within all seven of the complex’s towers. Search efforts are now expanding to other areas, including the extensive remnants of the collapsed bamboo scaffolding, in the ongoing quest for additional victims. “We have not finished our work,” Police Commissioner Joe Chow explained. “As you can see… a lot of bamboo has fallen down. We still need to do some work… to see if any bodies were covered by the bamboo.”
Commissioner Chow also reported that 140 of the 159 bodies recovered so far have been identified. These victims include 49 males and 91 females, ranging in age from one to 97 years old.
Among those impacted by the tragedy, a married couple in their 70s, identified only as Leung, returned to the charred site with their daughter on Wednesday. “It all happened within just an hour or two,” the mother recounted, describing the terrifying speed of the blaze. She continued, “I stood there watching as one block after another went up in flames, my legs felt so weak I could hardly stand. When I saw it, I felt completely helpless. I still don’t understand how the fire could spread so fiercely, devouring one building after another. It was terrifying.” She added, “The bamboo scaffolding cracked and there was banging that sounded like exploding windows, the flames were completely out of control.”
Their daughter, Bonnie, echoed the sentiment, expressing a desire for full transparency: “We also hope the truth will come out – whether there were hidden hands behind this, corruption or any improper dealings.” Millenium TV will continue to provide updates as this critical investigation unfolds.
© Millenium TV
