The fire broke out on Wednesday morning in the 28-storey Lion Rock Estate in the Kowloon district, with flames engulfing the entire building in just 30 minutes. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, but the rapid spread of the fire made it difficult to rescue those trapped inside.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Firefighters and rescue teams worked tirelessly to locate and evacuate survivors from the burning building, but their efforts were hampered by the intense heat and smoke. The Hong Kong Fire Department has reported that 146 people have lost their lives in the disaster, with many more injured.
Rescue workers were seen carrying bodies from the building, as distraught relatives and friends waited anxiously for news of those missing. The scene outside the estate was chaotic, with many people trying to get information about those affected by the fire.
Outrage and Demands for Safety Reforms
The disaster has sparked widespread outrage and anger among residents, who are demanding greater safety measures and reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Many have expressed concerns about the lack of effective safety protocols in Hong Kong's residential areas, particularly in high-rise buildings.
Pro-democracy activists have used social media to call for greater accountability and transparency in the government's response to the disaster, as well as increased funding for fire safety measures. The protests have been largely peaceful, but have highlighted the deep sense of frustration and disillusionment among many Hong Kong residents.
Government Response and Investigations
The Hong Kong government has promised a full investigation into the causes of the fire, with a focus on identifying any potential safety failures or lapses in emergency response. Officials have also vowed to implement measures to prevent similar disasters in the future, including improvements to fire safety standards and emergency preparedness.
The government has also set up a task force to oversee the rescue and recovery efforts, as well as provide support to those affected by the disaster. However, many residents remain skeptical about the government's ability to deliver meaningful reforms and improve safety standards.
As the city struggles to come to terms with the scale of the tragedy, many are left wondering how a disaster of this magnitude could have occurred in a city as modern and developed as Hong Kong.