Beijing : China has launched a nationwide fire safety inspection after the high rise fire in Hong Kong that killed at least 128 people and left many others missing. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Emergency Management as questions grow over building safety across the region.
The fire destroyed parts of the Wang Fuk Court residential tower in Tai Po last week. The blaze spread quickly because of flammable materials used during renovation and bamboo scaffolding that surrounded the building. Many residents were unable to escape and alarms reportedly did not work during the emergency.
Authorities in Beijing have now ordered checks on buildings across the country especially high rise apartments and construction sites with exterior repairs. Local governments have been told to inspect insulation materials scaffolding evacuation routes and fire prevention systems. Officials say any serious safety risks must be fixed immediately and those responsible for violations will face action.
In Hong Kong several people linked to the renovation project have already been arrested on suspicion of negligence and corruption. Pressure is growing for the city to ban bamboo scaffolding which is widely used in construction but can burn quickly. The government is also reviewing safety rules for renovation work in occupied buildings.
Rescue teams in Hong Kong have completed their search and the final death toll remains unclear as some families are still waiting for news of missing loved ones. Memorial services have been held across the city and residents continue to place flowers near the damaged tower.
Safety experts say the tragedy has exposed wider problems in fire planning and building management across dense urban areas. Many of the victims were elderly people or migrant domestic workers who lived alone and may have struggled during the evacuation.
Authorities in China and Hong Kong say they will continue investigating the cause of the fire and review building safety standards to prevent similar disasters in the future.