Hong Kong Leader Apologises Over Deadly Wang Fuk Court Fire
John Lee and seven officials bowed in apology as a report pointed to decades of failure by government bodies. Some victims' families called it inadequate.
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee and seven other officials bowed in apology as an independent report on last year's Wang Fuk Court fire was released. The fire killed 168 people. The report pointed to "decades of failure" by government bodies.
Four departments "should bear part of the responsibility" for the high casualties, the report said. The "main culprits" were private contractors, it found, but officials were also accused of "lax enforcement." Housing secretary Winnie Ho has so far resigned.
Had the four departments better recognised the risks and acted accordingly, "there was a real possibility that the misconduct of the private-sector parties and the fire hazards in WF Court could have been rectified or removed before the fire", the report said. It was compiled by a judge-led independent review committee. Some observers had called for a more legally powerful inquiry commission instead.
"I am deeply saddened. I would like to apologise to the affected residents and the general public," Lee said on Thursday. He said Ho should "bear political responsibility" and that a three-month investigation into the government's role would now begin. He promised "similar incidents will never be allowed to happen again."
The fire and the charges
A small fire, probably started by a cigarette, grew last November into an inferno that enveloped seven of the eight towers of the housing complex. The buildings were shrouded in bamboo scaffolding and netting for renovations. Ignored warnings, substandard building materials and disabled fire alarms are cited as factors. It is the world's deadliest residential fire since 1980.
Authorities have filed charges, including manslaughter, against seven individuals and two companies. At least 35 people have been arrested.
Families respond
Yip Ka-kui, who lost his wife and home, said the acceptance of accountability fell short. "All the secretaries for the departments named should step down," he told reporters. Phyllis Lo, whose mother died, told AP that progress had been made but justice had yet to be served, and that the apology was late though better than nothing.
Lee said authorities had proposed "systematic reforms," including criminalising bid-rigging and overhauling the complaints system. The report states: "The fire has been put out, but the reform has only just begun."
Source: The Guardian