Gov't to set up a judge-led independent committee to probe deadly fire
發佈日期: 2025-12-02 23:25
TVB News
Chief Executive John Lee pledged to set up an independent committee, to examine the cause of the deadly fire in Tai Po.
A judge will lead the committee to also review systemic causes behind the incident, in a bid to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
The government has set up three task groups for the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court, including a joint investigation team by the Police and the ICAC.
Standing in front of a black backdrop, the city leader John Lee announced the establishment of a judge-chaired independent committee, ahead of his weekly-meeting with the Executive Council.
He vowed to complete the probe as fast as possible to bring the suspects to court.
John Lee said, "The modus operandi of criminals change every day. They are evil. They are cunning. We must uncover the truth, ensure that justice is served, let the deceased rest in peace and provide comfort to the living."
Lee said he had identified a number of issues to be addressed, and pointed to a need for "systemic reform."
These include the quality of materials, supervision of construction work, effective operation of fire-safety systems, as well as roles and responsibilities of regulatory personnel.
More areas to work on include the conflicts of interests, accountability in Tai Po fire, and adequacy of legislation and penalties.
An independent committee differs from a commission of inquiry, which was set up under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance to investigate incidents of public importance.
Both are chaired by a judge, however, the commission of inquiry can summon anyone to attend and give evidence as standard court proceedings.
And the independent committee this time has no power like that.
Previously, Hong Kong set up a commission of inquiry to investigate matters, such as the Lamma Island ferry collision that killed 39 in 2012, and the construction scandal of the Sha Tin-to-Central Link project in 2018.
When asked as to why he "deserves to keep (his) job" after the large death toll in the incident, Lee had this to say.
Lee said, "Fires happen in different cities, despite different cities' governments and communities having tried their best. We will do our best to prevent it, but it is exactly what the government must do now to ensure that some system failures, which may have been accumulating over years, we need to strengthen the system, we need to reform it."
