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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy
Latest news and updates on the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district that killed 168 people, including a firefighter. Scores of people were also hurt.
Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
Bank of China account: 012 8752 190 1597
Hong Kong Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org.hk/en/index.html
Operation Santa Claus Emergency Appeal
https://oschk.org/
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council
https://www.skhwc.org.hk/en/
Hong Kong Family Welfare Society
https://www.hkfws.org.hk/en/home
Po Leung Kuk
https://www.poleungkuk.org.hk/en
Feeding Hong Kong
https://feedinghk.org/
A special arrangement gives priority selection to the first 35 households that signed their letters of acceptance by June 30, giving them the pick of 4,400 flats at 10 subsidised housing estates. Photo: Kit Lai
Residents look over a layout for one of the available subsidised housing estates. Photo: Kit Lai
Hong Kong housing

Early birds for Wang Fuk Court buy-back get first pick of subsidised houses

Some residents pleased with new homes offered under schemes, with others calling for stamp duty waivers to help ease financial burden.

Hong Kong

District councillor Peggy Wong resigns amid proxy-vote claims after Tai Po blaze

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to bar firms with integrity offences from building renovation lists

Hong Kong society

Top official to determine responsible department in complex 1823 cases

When assigning complaints that involve more than one government department, responsibility will be fairly distributed, Warner Cheuk says.

A new handling mechanism for the 1823 hotline is set to be implemented early next year. Photo: ISD
The devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court last November killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 others. Photo: Karma Lo
John Lee policy address 2026

Hong Kong leader pledges building maintenance reforms after fatal Tai Po fire

Government will conduct a legal study on criminalising bid-rigging in major building maintenance works and submit a proposal to the Legislative Council this year.

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong court winds up Wang Fuk Court renovation consultant over debt

Will Power Architects, involved in HK$336 million renovation project at estate, is ordered wound up after failing to oppose creditor’s application.

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Hong Kong

85% of Wang Fuk Court owners sign sale deals as flat selection moves ahead

Housing Bureau holds computerised ballot to set flat-selection order, posts results online as rehousing scheme moves into next phase.

After the blaze last November, which killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000, the government announced a buy-back of all 1,984 flats at the subsidised housing estate in Tai Po. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong housing

Letters | Ensuring building safety in Hong Kong an uphill struggle

Readers discuss efforts to reduce shoddy work in building renovation, signs on expressways, and classic Hong Kong comedy films.

Hong Kong economy

In Focus | Why softer focus on national security in Hong Kong’s 5-year plan won’t happen

Experts expect John Lee’s policy address to set ambitious governance agenda on various social and economic issues, but security will underpin them all.

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Hong Kong

Buildings Department files 259 charges over work at fire-ravaged Hong Kong estate

Charges against two firms, four individuals relate to alleged use of substandard materials and failure to properly supervise repairs.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po in November killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. Photo: Jelly Tse
Crime in Hong Kong

Letters | Bid-rigging isn’t new. Hong Kong must revisit old complaints

Readers discuss reforms to the system around building renovation projects, and a lesson from Zhu Rongji’s life.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on December 16, 2025, after a fatal blaze broke out. Why did it take a tragedy for the authorities to crack down on bid-rigging for building renovation projects? Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong housing

75.8% of flat owners at block unscathed by Tai Po fire agree to sell

Housing Bureau says 188 households at Wang Chi House have signed sale and purchase agreements as part of buy-back scheme.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Deal reached on Wang Fuk Court flats clears the way for recovery

Resolving resettlement for most Tai Po fire victims now paves the way for the next essential step towards closure: full accountability.

Hong Kong courts

Couple who survived Tai Po fire await trial for fraud, cannot leave Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court residents allegedly obtained more than HK$330,000 in government-backed loans by overstating drop in revenue of their business.

Jason Kong leaves Sha Tin Court over allegations of fraud and money laundering. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong

Nearly all Wang Fuk Court owners accept deal, leaving 17 holdouts as offer ends

17 of 1,984 Wang Fuk Court owners fail to accept offer as deadline ends, facing compulsory acquisition at lower compensation levels.

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By the cut‑off time at 5pm on Monday, 1,967, or 99.1 per cent, of the fire-hit estate’s 1,984 flat owners had returned acceptance letters. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong

Hong Kong gives 45 Wang Fuk Court holdouts final call on buyout scheme

As of noon on Sunday, 1,939 of estate’s 1,984 flat owners have submitted acceptance letters, while 77.7 per cent have signed sale and purchase agreements.

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong school opens at new Tai Po campus after deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze

Nearly 600 Tai Po Baptist Public School pupils to begin new term at renovated campus after months of disruption split across two temporary sites.

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Hong Kong

Why some Wang Fuk Court owners have refused buy-back deal even as deadline nears

While acquisition price for flats at fire-ravaged estate is seen as generous, about 3.5 per cent of homeowners have not accepted offer.

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Some Wang Fuk Court homeowners say Hong Kong’s buy-back offer cannot compensate for the loss of their homes, memories and community. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong

Hong Kong rules out Wang Fuk Court buy-back extension as 100 owners hesitate

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong warns of ‘substantially lower’ compensation at later stage if government uses legal means to acquire flats.

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Hong Kong society

Government still weighing decision on restricting proxy voters, official says

Proposed changes to law on buildings management meant to combat bid-rigging but limits to proxy votes could be too strict, home affairs director says.

Hong Kong society

Inquiry’s final report into deadly Hong Kong fire delayed until end of October

Panel says it has asked Chief Executive John Lee for deadline extension, citing complexity of issues and large volume of documents it must review.

The independent committee investigating the Wang Fuk Court fire, led by Victor Dawes SC (front), held a total of 30 sessions across six rounds of evidential hearings from March 19 to July 17. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong

Supplier says subcontractor ordered non-fire-retardant nets before Tai Po blaze

Documents released by independent panel investigating the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze detail Gain Profit’s orders for non-compliant nets.

Newly released documents show non-fire-retardant nets were ordered by a Wang Fuk Court subcontractor. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong

Lawmakers flag gaps in proposed building management rules after Tai Po fire

Tightening proxy votes and strengthening oversight are moves in ‘correct’ direction, but legislators cite potential drawbacks and loopholes.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | John Lee is right about local governance. Now he must deliver

Fixing Hong Kong’s district management in the wake of the devastating Tai Po fire is the next test for the chief executive.

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Hong Kong

8% of Wang Fuk Court owners yet to accept buy-back as deadline looms

Asked whether government will turn to legal means to acquire remaining flats, chief executive says decision will be made at later stage.

Wang Fuk Court home owners leave after attending an extraordinary general meeting at Kai Tak Community Hall on July 19. Photo: Edmond So
Fire Services Department ( Hong Kong)

Tai Po inquiry sheds more light on final moments of firefighter Ho Wai-ho

Government-appointed independent committee releases interim investigation report from separate task force, including images of Ho’s gear.

A picture from the published report showing where Ho was discovered. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

How a Hong Kong luxury estate saved HK$1b in renovation cost with tech solutions

Ex-CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo Allen Ha says ‘homegevity’ model of targeted, consistent repairs can spare homeowners major renovation work.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong tests thermal drones to catch illegal smoking at construction sites

Labour Department says AI will be added later to help identify smoking workers.

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