Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, issued a formal apology on Thursday for the deadly fire that claimed 168 lives at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate last November. The fire, which occurred in a subsidized housing complex in northern Hong Kong, exposed significant issues in building maintenance and regulatory oversight, prompting public outrage and political pressure on the Beijing-backed government.
At a news conference, Lee expressed sorrow for the tragedy and announced the resignation of Winnie Ho, the city’s housing secretary, who had oversight of the Independent Checking Unit responsible for building inspections. While Lee stopped short of attributing personal wrongdoing to Ho, he said she must bear political responsibility for the incident, marking the first senior official resignation linked to the disaster.
The fire broke out in one of seven buildings undergoing government-mandated repairs, with netting and polystyrene foam used as protective materials found to have accelerated the blaze. Authorities revealed that the flammable netting was substandard, contributing to the rapid fire spread that required thousands of firefighters and two days to extinguish.
Lee attributed the root causes primarily to collusion and corruption within the construction industry, involving contractors and consultants with alleged links to organized crime groups known as triads. The government reported widespread bid rigging and malpractice, describing a systemic, long-standing practice that compromised building safety. A cross-departmental task force, including police and anti-corruption officials, was established to investigate bid-rigging allegations and hold responsible parties criminally liable.
The government also released the first official report from a comprehensive inquiry conducted by a government-appointed committee. The report, spanning over 1,100 pages, detailed failures by several agencies, including the Fire Services Department, Buildings Department, Labor Department, and the Independent Checking Unit. It highlighted a lack of adequate oversight and failure to act sufficiently on residents’ safety concerns raised months before the fire. Some officials were found to have downplayed fire risks associated with scaffolding materials.
Legal actions have followed the investigation. In June, authorities charged seven individuals and two companies with offenses, including manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and other crimes. These charges mark the government’s initial criminal response to the probe.
Wang Fuk Court, constructed in 1983, houses over 4,900 residents, many from working-class backgrounds enrolled in a government housing program. In 2016, the government mandated repairs aimed at facade improvements and equipment upgrades. However, the program’s implementation was plagued by corrupt practices, with contractors forming cartels to control contracts and exploit homeowners lacking technical expertise.
Despite Lee’s apology and commitment to reform building regulations, some community members remain unsatisfied. Herman Yiu Kwan-Ho, a former district councilor, emphasized the need for clearer accountability across government levels and transparent implementation of reforms. He stressed that ensuring effective safeguards and practical support for residents must be a priority moving forward.