Hong Kong warns ‘external forces’ working to exploit apartment fire, as death toll rises to 159
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A deadly apartment fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court, which killed at least 159 people, has become a point of contention between the government and perceived "external forces." The fire, Hong Kong's worst disaster in 75 years, occurred in a complex undergoing renovations with substandard materials and malfunctioning fire alarms, leading to arrests for manslaughter. Hong Kong and Beijing officials are warning against alleged attempts by "foreign forces" to exploit the tragedy for political disruption, accusing them of inciting chaos and making malicious attacks. The government has ordered the removal of scaffolding netting from buildings undergoing maintenance and detained individuals under national security laws for actions like promoting petitions related to the fire. Authorities are prioritizing national security and suppressing dissent following the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
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AI-ExtractedBeijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong accused a “small group of hostile external forces” of taking advantage of the disaster.
Hong Kong government warned against “foreign forces, including anti-China media organisations”, sowing discord.
Authorities have arrested 15 people on suspicion of manslaughter.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court is the city’s worst disaster in 75 years.
At least 159 people have been confirmed dead in the Wang Fuk Court fire.
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