Hong Kong leader orders probe into deadly inferno

An independent committee will investigate the cause of the Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, including oversight of renovations blamed for the disaster that has claimed 151 lives.

Police have arrested 13 people for suspected manslaughter in a criminal investigation into last week's disaster, and the anti-corruption body has also arrested 12 people in a probe into possible graft.

It is unclear if any of those people were arrested on both counts.

Authorities have pointed to substandard plastic mesh and insulation foam used during renovation works at Wang Fuk Court as fuelling a blaze that quickly spread to seven high-rise towers, home to more than 4000 people.

"In order to avoid similar tragedies again, I will set up a judge-led independent committee to examine the reason behind the cause and rapid spreading (of the fire) and related issues," John Lee, Hong Kong's chief executive, told a news conference on Tuesday.

Investigators have combed all but two of the seven burnt-out towers, finding bodies of residents in stairwells and on rooftops, trapped as they tried to flee the flames.

About 30 people are still missing.

With pockets of public anger simmering, some groups have called for more transparency and accountability, amid warnings from Beijing and Hong Kong that any attempts to politicise the disaster would be severely punished.

Asked about the detention of a student from one of the groups, and two others who media reported are being investigated for possible sedition, Lee said: "I will not tolerate any crimes, particularly crimes that exploit the tragedy that we are facing now."

He did not comment on the specific cases.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticised the reported arrests.

"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire ... rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," Amnesty International said.

China's national security office has warned individuals against using the disaster to "plunge Hong Kong back into the chaos" of 2019, when massive pro-democracy protests challenged Beijing and triggered a political crisis.

Legislative elections due to take place on Sunday would go ahead as planned, Lee said.

Residents of Wang Fuk Court were told by authorities in 2024 they faced "relatively low fire risks" after complaining about fire hazards posed by the renovations, the city's labour department said.

The residents raised concerns about the potential flammability of the mesh that contractors used to cover the scaffolding, a department spokesperson said.

Tests on several samples of a green mesh that was wrapped around bamboo scaffolding on the buildings did not match fire retardant standards, officials overseeing the investigations said.

Contractors working on the renovations used these substandard materials in hard-to-reach areas, effectively hiding them from inspectors, Chief Secretary Eric Chan said.

Foam insulation used by contractors also fanned the flames and fire alarms at the complex were not working properly, officials have said.

Thousands of residents have turned out to pay tribute to the victims, who include at least nine domestic helpers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines.

Vigils are also due to take place this week in Tokyo, Taipei and London.

The remaining buildings being scoured for remains are the worst damaged and the search might take weeks, authorities have said.

The apartment blocks were home to more than 4000 people.

Almost 1500 people have been moved out of evacuation centres into temporary housing, with a further 945 put up in youth hostels and hotels.