SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - Following a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong, government authorities here are conducting emergency safety inspections of buildings over 30 floors.
Despite current regulations mandating the use of non-combustible materials and the installation of safety-related equipment, some buildings constructed before these regulations took effect still use flammable materials. Of some 140 skyscrapers over 50 floors or 200 meters, 18 are affected, the National Fire Agency said on Wednesday.
The agency began inspections of these buildings on Dec. 1, along with more than 80 mid-rise structures. In collaboration with local governments and experts, it will also carry out comprehensive safety checks on approximately 6,280 high-rise buildings across the country.
Similarly, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will inspect construction sites for buildings over 30 stories to ensure compliance with safety measures.
Training and public awareness will also be strengthened, with annual evacuation drills in preparation for fires and other disasters.
Meanwhile, the death toll from last week's fatal fire in Tai Po, northern Hong Kong has risen to 156.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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