Chapter 80 Evidence Collection
The deafening roar of the explosion, like a death knell, echoed over Hong Kong for a long time, striking the hearts of everyone who witnessed or heard of the event.
A menacing mushroom cloud of thick smoke and flames replaced the once peaceful sky over the Sunflower Creek residential area, heralding the arrival of a massive disaster.
Having already received the highest-level warning and been on high alert, the city's fire, armed police, military, and public security forces deployed their main forces at a safe distance immediately after the explosion, in accordance with the emergency plan, to prevent secondary disasters and the spread of the fire.
"Never use water to extinguish fires in the source area!"
It was Huo Nanchen. He had somehow already arrived near the temporary command post and spoke to the fire chief.
"Some mixed chemical agents with unknown composition may undergo more violent hydrolysis reactions when they come into contact with water, producing high temperatures, explosive gases, or even highly toxic vapors. For now, we can only isolate them and wait for the internal energy to be released on its own!"
His professional authority made the experienced fire chief commander feel uneasy, and he immediately issued an order to stop the water flow and establish a full-scale cordon and isolation.
Everyone could only watch helplessly as the area burned continuously amidst flames and thick smoke, releasing energy akin to that of a nuclear bomb. A sense of powerlessness and anxiety permeated the hearts of every rescuer.
Within the safe zone, the people who had been forcibly evacuated looked at the towering flames and thick smoke in the direction of their homes, and many collapsed to the ground, weeping uncontrollably.
Behind the relief of surviving was the immense blow of seeing their home vanish in an instant, and a profound sense of helplessness.
"My house..."
"My life savings are all gone... Ah..."
"Who the hell...why did they put these things here..."
"What will we do in the future..."
"Now everything is gone, what do we do... ah..."
Grief, despair, and anger spread rapidly among the crowd.
Fortunately, most of the residents had been relocated during the subway construction demolition, and it was also fortunate that it was a weekday when most people were at work or school. In addition, Wei Dongyang used force to break open the locked houses and search them, completely clearing the area, so no one was injured.
However, it caused enormous losses to people's property!
Lu Qingshu stood in front of the makeshift command platform, looking at the chaotic and sorrowful scene before her. She took a deep breath, picked up the megaphone, and handed it to the mayor next to her.
The mayor took the megaphone and said, "Dear neighbors, please calm down and listen to me!"
"I am Wang Yang, the mayor of Xiangjiang City. Our government is just as heartbroken as everyone else about this incident!"
"But please trust the government. Life comes first. As long as people are alive, there is hope!"
"On behalf of the government, I solemnly promise everyone that the government will fully undertake the subsequent resettlement, compensation and reconstruction work!"
"We will not allow any disaster victims to be displaced or suffer property loss. Please maintain order and cooperate with our staff!"
The city government's promises somewhat calmed the residents who were on the verge of collapse.
Although the sadness remains, at least the government's promises have led residents to begin following the arrangements and moving to designated resettlement areas.
After a long wait, the flames in the core of the explosion gradually weakened, and the release of that unstable energy was finally coming to an end.
After Huo Nanchen and some chemical experts who arrived later confirmed that the risk had been reduced to a controllable range, the forensic department, fire and hazardous chemical handling team and other departments that were already prepared were able to proceed.
They began donning the highest level of protective gear and entered the site in an orderly manner to conduct investigations and collect physical evidence.
Lin Xili took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the countless questions that arose from her earth-shattering understanding of Huo Nanchen.
At this moment, she is a public servant, and it is her duty to not err.
She quickly put on a protective mask, picked up the investigation equipment, her eyes regaining their coldness, and joined the forensic department's queue.
They resolutely stepped into the ruins that still reeked of a pungent odor and were a scene of devastation.
Huo Nanchen stood there, his gaze following Lin Xili's figure as it disappeared into the depths of the ruins, his expression a mixture of emotions.
After finishing the emergency public relations matter, Lu Qingshu walked to Huo Nanchen's side, her eyes also filled with inquiry and disbelief.
"We have already contacted Gao Bowen, and he will take the earliest flight back."
Lu Qingshu looked at him and said, "The subsequent chemical identification, tracing, and investigation of possible cases will be very complicated."
"I hope that if there are any aspects that even senior engineers find difficult, you can lend a hand."
She paused for a moment, then finally asked, "Although I still can't understand how you, a thyroid doctor, could be so professional about high-risk chemicals."
Huo Nanchen avoided her probing gaze and did not answer.
The next seven days were heavy and anxious for Hong Kong.
The shadow of the Sunflower Bay bombing loomed over the entire city, causing a public uproar and widespread anxiety.
The forensic department, the fire department, and support teams from various related departments, including those from neighboring cities, were involved.
They worked tirelessly, day and night, on this unprecedentedly complex post-disaster investigation and evidence collection.
As one of the core members, Lin Xili devoted himself entirely to the laboratory and the temporary command center.
Together with her colleagues, she processed the massive amount of physical evidence collected from the ruins, much like untangling a tangled mess.
Twisted metal fragments, charred residue, soil samples, and the remains of chemical containers that were not yet completely destroyed.
Every tiny clue could point to the truth behind this disaster and provide an explanation to the public.
During those seven days, Huo Nanchen did not disturb her.
He would only send her one or two simple messages each day, reminding her to eat and rest, always ending with "Be careful."
He still went to the hospital to see patients on time, as if the person who displayed amazing professional skills at the explosion site that day, wearing a heavy protective suit and speaking sternly, was just an illusion for everyone.
The atmosphere in the forensic department's conference room was extremely tense.
Gao Bowen stood in front of the projection screen, pointing to a set of complex data graphs and molecular structural formulas, and said in a solemn tone, "Gentlemen, we have encountered a critical bottleneck."
"The composition of these residues is extremely complex; they are not single chemicals, but a mixture of multiple highly active, and possibly even unstable, derivatives."
"Their reaction mechanisms, detonation conditions, and especially the origins of several key catalysts..."
"With our existing database and analytical methods, it is difficult to provide an accurate and legally valid identification conclusion in a short period of time, let alone accurately reconstruct its preparation process."
He glanced around at the key personnel present, including Lin Xili, Brother Li, Brother Wang, and others, before finally fixing his gaze on Director Lu Qingshu, who was sitting in the corner.
"Director Lu, this problem probably requires top-tier professional support. I suggest..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Qingshu raised her hand to interrupt him, "Manager Gao, I have already invited the top-notch professional support you mentioned."
The conference room door was pushed open, and Huo Nanchen walked in.
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