No on-site checks conducted on scaffolding mesh before Tai Po blaze, probe hears

Hearing reveals no prior inspections of scaffolding mesh at Tai Po fire site; probe turns to government oversight. | Contesto: cronaca

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• No on-site checks conducted on scaffolding mesh before Tai Po blaze, probe hears

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An independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadly Wang Fuk Court fire has heard that no on-site checks were conducted on the scaffolding mesh before the blaze erupted, raising fresh questions about regulatory enforcement. The revelation came on the 20th day of evidential hearings, as the judge-led panel turns its attention to the roles of the Buildings Department and the Home Affairs Department. Four witnesses from those two government bodies are scheduled to give evidence on Monday, marking a critical phase in the inquiry. The inferno, which broke out at the public housing estate in Tai Po, claimed multiple lives and left residents and safety experts demanding answers about how such a tragedy could occur in a city with stringent building codes. According to testimony heard earlier, the scaffolding mesh—a common feature on construction sites meant to contain debris and protect workers—had not been subject to any official inspection prior to the fire. This omission has become a focal point for the committee, which is tasked with determining whether existing safety protocols were followed or if gaps in oversight contributed to the disaster. The hearings have already exposed potential lapses in communication between contractors and regulatory authorities. Witnesses from the Buildings Department are expected to face tough questions about their inspection schedules and whether they had the resources to monitor sites effectively. Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Department’s role in coordinating emergency responses and public safety campaigns will also come under scrutiny. Background briefings provided to the committee indicate that the Wang Fuk Court fire was one of the most severe incidents in Hong Kong’s recent history, prompting widespread calls for reform. The blaze spread rapidly through the scaffolding mesh, which some experts argue acted as a fuel source rather than a safety barrier. Residents have described chaotic evacuation scenes, with many trapped in their units as flames engulfed the lower floors. As the inquiry continues, the panel is expected to recommend changes to how scaffolding materials are certified and inspected. The hearings also underscore...

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Categoria: cronaca