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Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

No fewer than 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the directors of a construction company.

"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to make certain all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the probe could last approximately a month.

Systemic Failures Identified

Several residents have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire broke out. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.

The city's construction authority has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Additionally, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was among a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.

Another two individuals, including a ex-local representative, were also taken in by authorities, as reported by local media reports.

International Reaction

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions.

"This is the occasion for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.

Historical Context and Demographics

The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, per a recent official survey.

Approximately 40 percent of its residents are believed to be over 65 years old. Some have been occupants of the public housing complex from its inception.

Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 individuals died.