Hong Kong Fire: 151 Dead, Arrests Made

Hong Kongs leader, John Lee, has ordered an independent investigation into a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people. The blaze engulfed seven tower blocks undergoing renovations, with protective netting failing to meet fire safety standards. Thirteen individuals, including construction company directors, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The fire, which spread rapidly and took over 40 hours to extinguish, is the deadliest in over 70 years. Residents reported no fire alarms, and the fire service confirmed alarms were not working. The buildings department halted work on 30 private projects as a precaution. Police detained a man for sedition after petitioning for an independent inquiry, with Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticizing the arrests. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.