• Authorities have ordered the removal of scaffolding nets at over 200 sites after a deadly fire.
• The fire at Wang Fuk Court resulted in at least 159 deaths, raising serious safety concerns.
• Investigations revealed that false safety certificates were connected to the materials used.

In response to the deadly fire that killed at least 159 people at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, Hong Kong authorities have mandated the removal of scaffolding netting from over 200 construction sites by Saturday. This drastic measure comes after investigations revealed that the protective mesh, which was purported to be fire-resistant, failed to meet safety standards, thereby exacerbating the fire's spread, according to BBC.

Police have launched criminal investigations and arrested a total of 21 individuals linked to the renovation operations at Wang Fuk Court, including six from the fire alarm system company on suspicion of fraud and many others for manslaughter. The arrests were prompted by allegations that the fire alarms were deactivated during renovation and that substandard materials were employed, effectively fueling the inferno, as reported by South China Morning Post and Reuters.

Authorities discovered that a manufacturer based in Shandong allegedly provided false safety certificates for the materials used across various renovation locations, prompting a city-wide review of construction safety standards. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho emphasized the government's commitment to public safety and disclosed that new operational guidelines requiring on-site sampling of scaffolding materials would be established, as stated by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

With over 300 buildings affected by the removal orders, construction firms across Hong Kong are racing against the clock to comply with the three-day deadline. Industry representatives have noted that while this will cause delays, ensuring resident safety surpasses all other concerns. Residents have expressed relief at the decision, highlighting previous uncertainty over fire safety standards, according to South China Morning Post and South China Morning Post.

In the aftermath of the fire, significant resources are being allocated to assist the over 2,900 displaced residents. Many have been provided temporary accommodation, but there remain concerns regarding those who are unaccounted for. Authorities are actively working to locate missing individuals, including foreign domestic workers among the 31 unaccounted for, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.