Hong Kong stifles dissent as some netting on burned buildings found not to meet fire code

Hong Kong authorities announced Monday that their investigation into last week’s devastating fire that killed at least 151 people has found evidence of substandard safety materials. Officials revealed that seven out of 20 samples of netting covering scaffolding at the Wang Fuk Court complex failed to meet fire safety standards.

Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary, strongly condemned those responsible, stating, “They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives.” The implication is that contractors may have used cheaper, non-compliant materials to increase profits, directly contributing to the disaster’s severity.

The fire, which began Wednesday and took until Friday to fully extinguish, started on netting covering bamboo scaffolding on a lower level of one building before rapidly spreading. Foam panels placed over windows caught fire and shattered glass, allowing flames to enter the buildings. Strong winds carried the blaze from building to building, eventually engulfing seven of the eight structures in the complex, all of which were covered in scaffolding for renovations.

Recovery efforts continue as authorities navigate the dangerous remains of the buildings. Police Disaster Victim Identification teams have searched five buildings but have only partially examined the remaining two, including the most severely damaged structure where the fire originated. On Monday, authorities recovered eight more bodies, including three previously spotted but unreachable by firefighters. Dozens remain unaccounted for, though officials note some may be among the 39 bodies not yet identified.

“We will have to wait until we get through all seven blocks before we can make a final report,” said Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the police casualty enquiry unit.

The scale of public response has been substantial. Donations for survivors have reached 900 million Hong Kong dollars (US$115 million), reflecting widespread community sympathy. A makeshift memorial near the burned buildings continues to draw visitors placing flowers, cards and tributes.

“When something happens, we come out to help each other,” said Loretta Loh after visiting the site. “I have a heavy heart.”

The Wang Fuk Court complex housed approximately 4,600 residents in the Tai Po suburb. Government authorities have allocated 300 million Hong Kong dollars (US$38.5 million) as start-up capital for a relief fund, complementing the private donations. This money will help victims rebuild homes and provide long-term support. Officials have also distributed cash subsidies for immediate expenses, including funeral costs.

Housing arrangements for survivors have been established, with 683 residents placed in hotels and hostels, and another 1,144 moved to transitional housing units. Two emergency shelters remain open for others still needing accommodation.

Questions about regulatory oversight have emerged as the Labor Department confirmed that residents had complained about the construction netting for almost a year. Officials conducted 16 inspections of the renovation project since July 2024 and issued multiple written warnings to contractors about fire safety requirements. The most recent inspection occurred just one week before the deadly blaze.

Hong Kong’s anti-corruption authorities and police have arrested 14 people connected to the disaster, including directors and an engineering consultant from a construction company, according to Chris Tang, the secretary for security.

As public anger rises, questions about government accountability are growing. Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political scientist based in Hong Kong, observed: “People are angry and think that the Hong Kong government should be accountable.”

However, the space for public criticism has narrowed significantly. Officials have threatened to arrest those spreading what they call “rumors” about firefighting tactics or other aspects of the disaster response. The Office for Safeguarding National Security warned against “evil schemes” with “ulterior motives of using the disaster to create trouble and disrupt Hong Kong.”

Reports from local media outlets indicate that three people have already been arrested, including a man who organized an online petition calling for government accountability and a volunteer who offered help after the fire. These arrests reflect the increasingly limited tolerance for dissent since the 2019 protests against the extradition bill.

Cabestan noted that Hong Kong officials appear to be operating similarly to mainland Chinese authorities by preemptively suppressing potential protests. The city now effectively bans mass demonstrations and prevents opposition political figures from participating in legislative elections.