Distopia in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District (Feel free to skip this post if you prefer a lighter read)

My husband was scrolling through YouTube videos when I saw a thumbnail regarding a horrific hi-rise fire in Hong Kong. Planning to share an image, I changed my mind and won’t delve much into this appalling tragedy beyond examining why much of the devastation could have been avoided.

Instead, here is a double rainbow seen through my front window days ago, a hopeful tribute to all blameless victims around the world...

So, back to the horror... For one thing, bamboo scaffolding surrounded exterior renovations. WTF?!? I cannot imagine any city planner deeming this a good idea. Well, I can; construction bosses were encouraged to save money.

These apartment complexes housed (notice the past tense) many elderly residents, often suffering mobility issues. These folks received next to no warning, sometimes only when neighbors began shouting.

The towering structures stood so close that a blazing spark quickly became an inferno. Firefighters were forced to retreat multiple times while fiery debris rained down upon streets far below. I’m happy that many got out alive, though the death count continues rising, including one known rescue worker daring the flames. 

Do you think China will reform its building codes? How long do you imagine cleanup and rebuilding might take?

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