Hong Kong Fire: Smoking Workers in Viral Videos Reignite Safety Concerns Amid Ongoing Probe
Image Source: Internet
A renewed public outcry has erupted in Hong Kong over the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire that claimed 128 lives, as videos of construction workers smoking on scaffolding while repairing the building's outer wall have resurfaced on social media. The footage, originally posted on Thursday, has reignited concerns about alleged safety lapses at the housing complex, despite officials stating that the actual cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire, which ravaged the Tai Po housing estate on Wednesday, also injured dozens and left nearly 900 residents without homes as seven of the eight 32-storey towers were engulfed in flames. Authorities believe that flammable materials, strong winds, and the fire's rapid spread contributed to the disaster, but the exact cause is still unknown. The viral videos have sparked heated debates on social media, with some users claiming that the workers' reckless behavior may have contributed to the tragedy. However, officials have not confirmed this, and the investigation is ongoing. In related news, authorities have detained two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, the company responsible for the repair work at the estate. They are being investigated for possible manslaughter over allegations that substandard materials were used during the project. Hong Kong's government has pledged a HK$300 million relief fund for affected residents, and several major companies have also offered financial support. The tragedy is now the city's deadliest fire since 1948, when a warehouse inferno claimed 176 lives.
