Hong Kong Targets 9 Months Of Apartment Fire Investigation To Kill 160 People

JAKARTA - Hong Kong is targeting nine months of independent investigations into the fire of seven apartment buildings that killed at least 160 people.

Hong Kong Chief Executive said answers to the cause of the deadly tragedy, which also left thousands of residents displaced, had to be found.

"They all have passion and love for Hong Kong, to be so brave to take responsibility for this and I am so grateful to them, I salute them," Lee told a news conference on Friday, December 12, quoted by Reuters.

The fire incident of seven apartment buildings in Tai Po District, Hong Kong, occurred on Wednesday, November 26. The public was furious with the actions of officers, including the government, because it took two days to extinguish the fire.

The Hong Kong government has formed an independent committee to investigate the fires that broke out in the Tai Po district, near the border with mainland China. Judge David Lok, who leads the Election Affairs Commission, has been appointed to lead the comic.

Lee explained that the committee is tasked with investigating whether there are systematic problems in the construction industry, conflicts of interest, inappropriate collusion, and determining whether there is a potential tender arrangement in the sector in terms of granting contracts.

He also added that the government would cooperate with city legislature agencies to "drive institutional reform" after the fire. This refers to the large number of criticisms, calls and public petitions asking for greater government accountability and better supervision of the construction sector.