Hong Kong leader apologises for deadly Tai Po fire, pledges reforms
John Lee said the housing secretary should bear political responsibility as a judge-led report detailed regulatory failings and promised reforms after the deadly fire.
- On Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced the resignation of Housing Secretary Winnie following a government investigation into the fire in Tai Po that killed 168 people last November.
- The blaze engulfed seven 31-storey tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, with a judge-led panel report detailing significant regulatory and supervisory failings in the building-renovation system.
- Authorities charged seven people and two companies with manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud, alleging they concealed litigation records to secure a renovation contract worth over $38 million.
- Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu apologized for the disaster, stating Winnie "should bear political responsibility" despite finding no personal wrongdoing, and announced reforms introducing criminal penalties for bid-rigging.
- Senior officials will host separate briefings on Friday to explain the proposed measures in greater detail as the government pursues "administrative accountability" to address the systemic failings.
38 Articles
38 Articles
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative District, apologised to the public for the fire at the Hope Fukcourt residential building on May 26. Sept. Or after more than 11 months of the incident, which resulted in 168 deaths.
On 26 November 2025, seven of the eight buildings in the same residence had set fire to Tai Po, in the north of Hong Kong - the most deadly fire in the world since 1980 in a housing complex. Since then, calls have been heard calling for the government of this small Chinese territory with special status to be held accountable, and even for the resignation of its chief executive, John Lee. At a press conference on Thursday on the occasion of the p…
Hong Kong leader apologises for deadly blaze that killed 168 as housing minister resigns over govt failures
HONG KONG, Oct 29 — Hong Kong leader John Lee apologised today for a deadly fire that killed 168 people, and the city’s housing minister resigned after a report found the...
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