https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/524779/feed 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. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities have made “a series of preparations” to implement reforms and pursue accountability ahead of the final report of an inquiry panel on the Tai Po blaze later this month, the city’s leader has said, pledging to act “as soon as possible”. It was understood that the government has established a dedicated task force under the Public Service Commission, led by former deputy secretary for security Benjamin Mok Kwan-yu and former commissioner for sports George Tsoi Kin-pan, to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369874/hong-kong-prepares-reforms-accountability-measures-ahead-tai-po-fire-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369874/hong-kong-prepares-reforms-accountability-measures-ahead-tai-po-fire-report?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:07:56 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying More than 73,000 owners of subdivided flats in Hong Kong have applied for a three-year grace period to meet the government’s minimum standards, a figure the housing chief has described as “better than expected”. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said on Saturday that authorities received around 73,800 applications during the “early bird” registration phase under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance, which closed on August 31. The tally represented nearly 70 per cent of the city’s estimated... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369653/better-expected-73800-subdivided-flats-apply-3-year-grace-period?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369653/better-expected-73800-subdivided-flats-apply-3-year-grace-period?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:26:14 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung Residents who lost their homes in Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po fire started choosing their replacement flats on Tuesday, with some calling on authorities to introduce stamp duty waivers to help ease their financial burden. After last November’s blaze at Wang Fuk Court, authorities rolled out a HK$7.8 billion (US$994 million) plan to buy back flats at the eight-block subsidised housing estate. Under the scheme, participants can use the cash compensation to buy a flat on the private open market or... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369209/early-birds-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-get-first-pick-subsidised-houses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369209/early-birds-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-get-first-pick-subsidised-houses?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:17:55 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong district councillor Peggy Wong Pik-kiu has resigned from office and several other community roles citing health reasons, following mounting controversy over her team’s alleged proxy-vote collection before last year’s fatal Wang Fuk Court inferno. Wong, a directly elected district councillor for the Tai Po South constituency, also stepped down from her duties as a member of the Tai Po South Area Committee and captain of the Tai Po Kwong Fuk and Plover Cove subdistrict care team. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3368905/district-councillor-peggy-wong-resigns-amid-proxy-vote-claims-after-tai-po-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3368905/district-councillor-peggy-wong-resigns-amid-proxy-vote-claims-after-tai-po-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 11:19:52 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong building maintenance consultants and contractors prosecuted or convicted of integrity-related offences in the past three years will be excluded from pre-qualified lists set up for owners undertaking renovation projects, the development minister has said. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said on Tuesday that applications to join the lists – covering inspection consultants, supervision consultants and building works contractors – would open next Wednesday and close on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368412/hong-kong-bar-firms-integrity-offences-building-renovation-lists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3368412/hong-kong-bar-firms-integrity-offences-building-renovation-lists?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:17:59 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying A top official will determine where responsibility lies when a public complaint spans multiple departments under a new handling mechanism for the 1823 hotline, set to be implemented early next year. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Monday that he would ensure a “very fair” distribution of responsibility when assigning complaints that involved more than one government department. The reform, which will take effect in the first quarter of next year, will see... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3368239/no-more-not-our-job-top-official-pick-lead-department-complex-1823-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3368239/no-more-not-our-job-top-official-pick-lead-department-complex-1823-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:40:01 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to overhaul the city’s building maintenance regime and improve emergency response as part of the government’s response to last year’s fatal Tai Po fire, while authorities study criminalising bid-rigging and plan to submit a proposal later this year. The measures were outlined in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address on Wednesday, amid pressure on the government to strengthen oversight of renovation works after the city’s deadliest fire in decades at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367744/hong-kong-leader-pledges-building-maintenance-reforms-after-fatal-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367744/hong-kong-leader-pledges-building-maintenance-reforms-after-fatal-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:36:43 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong A Hong Kong court has ordered the winding-up of an engineering consultant behind a HK$336 million (US$42.8 million) renovation project at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court over an unspecified debt. The High Court on Wednesday granted Tong Yiu-kwok’s application to wind up Will Power Architects after the company neither filed a statement in opposition nor sent a representative to explain its position at the hearing. The court did not disclose Tong’s relationship with the firm or the amount of debt... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3367691/hong-kong-court-winds-wang-fuk-court-renovation-consultant-over-debt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3367691/hong-kong-court-winds-wang-fuk-court-renovation-consultant-over-debt?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:49:37 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au More than 85 per cent of owners at the blaze-hit Wang Fuk Court have signed agreements to sell their flats to the Hong Kong government as authorities move ahead with flat selection under a special rehousing scheme. Authorities said on Tuesday that 1,702 households – 85.8 per cent of flat owners across blocks A to H at the estate – had signed sale and purchase agreements as of Monday. On the same day, the Housing Bureau held a computerised ballot to determine the selection sequence for subsidised... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367611/85-wang-fuk-court-owners-sign-sale-deals-flat-selection-moves-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367611/85-wang-fuk-court-owners-sign-sale-deals-flat-selection-moves-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:43:45 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. I refer to the report, “Government still weighing decision on restricting proxy voters, Hong Kong official says” (August 22). The government should be commended for seeking to combat bid-rigging in large-scale, high-value procurement decisions and to enhance the democratic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3367120/ensuring-building-safety-hong-kong-uphill-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3367120/ensuring-building-safety-hong-kong-uphill-struggle?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 03:30:05 +0000 Natalie Wong,Matthew Cheng Natalie Wong,Matthew Cheng In the first of our series of previews on the five-year plan and policy address, to be announced on September 16, Natalie Wong and Matthew Cheng look at the key political issues and the city leader’s hopes for a second term. When Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu steps up to the Legislative Council podium next Wednesday, he will break from decades of political tradition. Lee’s coming policy address will summarise his four years in office while setting out what is expected to be his most... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3366967/softer-focus-national-security-hong-kongs-5-year-plan-why-it-wont-happen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3366967/softer-focus-national-security-hong-kongs-5-year-plan-why-it-wont-happen?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:30:05 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong’s Buildings Department has filed 259 charges against two companies and four individuals over repair works at the inferno-ravaged Wang Fuk Court, after investigations found non-fire-retardant materials were used and safety obligations were not met. The department said on Wednesday that the charges included allegedly permitting or authorising to be used in the carrying out of building works materials which are defective or did not comply with the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance, as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3366953/buildings-department-files-259-charges-over-work-fire-ravaged-hong-kong-estate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3366953/buildings-department-files-259-charges-over-work-fire-ravaged-hong-kong-estate?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:31:00 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which claimed 168 lives, exposed a system in which flat owners – the people who pay for and live with the consequences of building renovation decisions – are practically powerless. One question deserves an answer: why did it take a tragedy to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3366342/bid-rigging-isnt-new-hong-kong-must-revisit-old-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3366342/bid-rigging-isnt-new-hong-kong-must-revisit-old-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 03:30:07 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin More than 75 per cent of homeowners at the only block spared the worst of last November’s deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court have agreed to sell their flats to the Hong Kong government, with authorities to press ahead with acquisition procedures. The Housing Bureau said on Thursday that 75.8 per cent of the flats at the estate’s Wang Chi House, or 188 households, had signed sales and purchase agreements as of Wednesday. “[The] government confirmed that it will continue to take forward the acquisition... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3366233/758-flat-owners-block-unscathed-tai-po-fire-agree-sell-authorities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3366233/758-flat-owners-block-unscathed-tai-po-fire-agree-sell-authorities?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:01:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial With the first anniversary of the Tai Po fire less than three months away, Hong Kong’s recovery from the disaster is making steady progress. Nearly all affected households have accepted the government’s buyout offer, providing residents with a clear path towards rebuilding their lives. Meanwhile, the independent inquiry into the blaze is expected to table its report next month – an important step towards establishing accountability and ensuring that lessons are learned and acted upon. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3366083/deal-reached-wang-fuk-court-flats-clears-way-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3366083/deal-reached-wang-fuk-court-flats-clears-way-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:15:12 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong A couple who survived the deadly Tai Po blaze last year have been barred from leaving Hong Kong pending trial for allegedly obtaining more than HK$330,000 (US$42,000) in government-guaranteed loans by overstating the decline in revenue of their decoration business. Former Wang Fuk Court residents Jason Kong Cheung-fat, 65, and Rosanna Cheung Yeuk-lan, 62, appeared in Sha Tin Court on Tuesday to face two counts of fraud and one of money laundering. The couple were not required to enter pleas... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3365923/couple-who-survived-tai-po-fire-await-trial-fraud-cannot-leave-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3365923/couple-who-survived-tai-po-fire-await-trial-fraud-cannot-leave-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:39:10 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok More than 99 per cent of homeowners at Hong Kong’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court have accepted a government buy-out of their flats, leaving just 17 households facing potential compulsory acquisition after the scheme closed on Monday. By the cut‑off time at 5pm on Monday, 1,967 or 99.1 per cent of the estate’s 1,984 flat owners had returned acceptance letters. The remaining 17 may face compulsory acquisition at lower compensation levels in the future. Among those who accepted, 1,559, or 78.6 per... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3365872/nearly-all-wang-fu-court-owners-accept-buy-out-leaving-17-holdouts-offer-ends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3365872/nearly-all-wang-fu-court-owners-accept-buy-out-leaving-17-holdouts-offer-ends?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:11:56 +0000 Eric Jiang Eric Jiang Hong Kong authorities are making a final push to persuade 45 holdout homeowners at fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court to join a government buyout scheme before Monday afternoon’s deadline. As of noon on Sunday, 1,939 of the estate’s 1,984 flat owners – or 97.7 per cent – had submitted acceptance letters, while 77.7 per cent had signed formal sale and purchase agreements, according to the government. This leaves about 45 homeowners, or 2.3 per cent, who have yet to accept the government’s buy-back offer... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3365759/hong-kong-gives-45-wang-fuk-court-holdouts-final-call-buyout-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3365759/hong-kong-gives-45-wang-fuk-court-holdouts-final-call-buyout-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:40:53 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung Nearly 600 pupils and their teachers at a Hong Kong primary school closed after the deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze will be reunited at a newly renovated campus in Tai Po, ending months spent across two temporary sites. Tai Po Baptist Public School, formerly located near Wang Fuk Court, opened its new premises at Fu Shin Estate on Saturday, with pupils, teachers and parents expressing relief at finally having a settled place to reunite. The campus was formerly home to CCC Kei Ching Primary School,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/education/article/3365707/hong-kong-school-opens-new-tai-po-campus-after-deadly-wang-fuk-court-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/education/article/3365707/hong-kong-school-opens-new-tai-po-campus-after-deadly-wang-fuk-court-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 10:08:26 +0000 Kristen Cheung Kristen Cheung As the deadline approaches for homeowners to accept the Hong Kong government’s deal to buy back their flats at fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court, some who refuse to sell have said the offer cannot make up for the loss of their property and communal bonds. With the clock ticking to the August 31 cut-off date, the South China Morning Post spoke to six residents determined not to sell their homes at the devastated Tai Po estate, even though experts say the government’s offer is generous and compulsory... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3365680/why-some-wang-fuk-court-owners-have-refused-buy-back-deal-even-deadline-nears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3365680/why-some-wang-fuk-court-owners-have-refused-buy-back-deal-even-deadline-nears?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 04:00:19 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng About 100 homeowners at fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong have yet to accept the government’s buy-back offer that expires next week, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun has said, stressing that the sign-up period will not be extended. “The deadline is a very serious timeline … it will not be extended, nor will better terms and a higher acquisition price suddenly be offered,” Wong told a radio programme on Sunday. “I hope [the homeowners] will understand and take the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364951/hong-kong-rules-out-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-extension-100-owners-hesitate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364951/hong-kong-rules-out-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-extension-100-owners-hesitate?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 03:24:47 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong authorities have yet to decide whether to restrict proxy voters at homeowners’ meetings to relatives or other flat owners of the same estate under proposed law amendments meant to combat bid-rigging, the home affairs director has said, arguing such a move could be overly strict. Director of Home Affairs Priscilla To Kit-lai said on Saturday the proposed amendments to the Building Management Ordinance were aimed at enhancing the legitimacy of proxy votes amid concerns that voting... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364921/government-still-weighing-decision-restricting-proxy-voters-hong-kong-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364921/government-still-weighing-decision-restricting-proxy-voters-hong-kong-official-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:28:01 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin An independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades will postpone submitting its report by a month, to the end of October, attributing the delay to the complexity of issues and the large volume of documents it must review. The committee announced on Tuesday that it had sought approval from Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu to extend the deadline for submitting the report. The judge-led panel was originally tasked with concluding its work over nine months and deliver its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364385/committee-probing-tai-po-fire-delays-submission-report-end-october?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364385/committee-probing-tai-po-fire-delays-submission-report-end-october?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:32:46 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A scaffolding subcontractor at Hong Kong’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court estate ordered batches of non-fire-retardant protective nets, a supplier has confirmed, with the use of substandard mesh earlier identified as a key factor in the deadly blaze’s rapid spread. The statement from supplier Lam Kee Construction Materials was among the documents released on Wednesday by the independent committee investigating the causes of the fire in November, the city’s deadliest in decades. The committee’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363936/supplier-says-subcontractor-ordered-non-fire-retardant-nets-tai-po-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363936/supplier-says-subcontractor-ordered-non-fire-retardant-nets-tai-po-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:26:47 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong lawmakers have warned of potential loopholes that bid-riggers can still exploit despite a government proposal to tighten proxy votes, owner attendance at renovation meetings and other oversight issues in its review of building maintenance rules after the Tai Po fire. Their warnings on Thursday coincided with the announcement of a second round of raids by the Competition Commission in connection with a bid-rigging case involving 28 housing estates and buildings, and contracts with an... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363886/lawmakers-flag-gaps-proposed-changes-building-management-rules-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363886/lawmakers-flag-gaps-proposed-changes-building-management-rules-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:14:25 +0000 Alice Wu Alice Wu Something unexpected happened at the town hall meeting held a week ago to gather public opinion on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and the coming policy address. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu spoke about the need to upgrade the city’s urban management systems. Our results-oriented, reform-focused chief executive seems to be ready for another colossal task. Lee began his term with plans to reform policy bureau operations, introducing key performance indicators and additional... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3363309/john-lee-right-about-local-governance-now-he-must-deliver?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3363309/john-lee-right-about-local-governance-now-he-must-deliver?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng About 8 per cent of homeowners at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong have yet to accept the government’s buy-back offer, which is set to expire at the end of this month. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Sunday that 91.9 per cent of owners had submitted acceptance letters, while 65.7 per cent of owners had already signed sale and purchase agreements with the government. Speaking to the media after a town hall meeting to gather views on the city’s first five-year plan and annual... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363445/8-owners-fire-hit-hong-kong-estate-yet-accept-buy-back-deadline-nears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363445/8-owners-fire-hit-hong-kong-estate-yet-accept-buy-back-deadline-nears?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Aug 2026 10:10:07 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li An independent inquiry into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has released further details about the final moments of fallen firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who died in the line of duty while responding to the blaze at Wang Fuk Court last November. An interim report from an interdepartmental fire investigation task force was released by the government-appointed independent committee on Thursday. The disclosure included images of Ho’s gear recovered from the scene. “The post-fire visual inspection... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363336/tai-po-inquiry-sheds-more-light-final-moments-firefighter-ho-wai-ho?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3363336/tai-po-inquiry-sheds-more-light-final-moments-firefighter-ho-wai-ho?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:00:32 +0000 Denise Tsang Denise Tsang Hong Kong homeowners could adopt technology-led preventive maintenance of older buildings to avoid costly large-scale renovation, with the upmarket Residence Bel-Air serving as a viable example that saved residents more than HK$1 billion (US$127.5 million). Allen Ha Wing-on, convenor of the Residence Bel-Air owners’ committee, said while the Wang Fuk Court tragedy was a wake-up call to transform the city’s decades-old practice of conducting major renovation works for ageing estates, the private... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3363092/how-hong-kong-luxury-estate-saved-hk1b-renovation-cost-tech-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3363092/how-hong-kong-luxury-estate-saved-hk1b-renovation-cost-tech-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:30:06 +0000 Kate Chan Kate Chan Hong Kong labour authorities have begun testing an infrared thermal-imaging drone to detect heat sources and illegal smoking at construction sites, with plans to add artificial intelligence (AI) to identify offenders. Since the total construction site smoking ban took effect on July 17, about 1,400 have been inspected as of Tuesday, according to Wan Chi-ping, assistant commissioner for labour. Authorities issued 39 fixed-penalty notices and 11 improvement notices to contractors, while two cases... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3363030/hong-kong-tests-thermal-drones-catch-illegal-smoking-construction-sites?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3363030/hong-kong-tests-thermal-drones-catch-illegal-smoking-construction-sites?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:34:27 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Two Hong Kong fire service contractors linked to alleged malpractice in the city’s deadliest blaze in decades are still in business and remain open to taking on new contracts, the South China Morning Post has learned, as lawmakers raised concerns over public safety and potential project abandonment. While enforcement actions against the two companies have yet to be completed eight months after the inferno, the Fire Services Department said it had recently concluded its investigation and would... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362710/2-fire-service-contractors-linked-tai-po-tragedy-still-running-open-new-contracts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362710/2-fire-service-contractors-linked-tai-po-tragedy-still-running-open-new-contracts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:32 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Two directors of a contractor linked to the deadly inferno at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court have denied all allegations of bid-rigging, corruption and collusion with consultants, with one saying he was never told the housing estate’s fire safety system had any problems. A district councillor, Peggy Wong Pik-kiu, who has been criticised for her links to the former owners’ committee of the Tai Po complex, also rejected allegations of exchanging “gift bags” for proxy votes and denied soliciting or... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362308/tai-po-fire-contractors-2-directors-deny-all-allegations-witness-statements?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362308/tai-po-fire-contractors-2-directors-deny-all-allegations-witness-statements?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:58:01 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hong Kong hotels and guest houses are required to provide fire escape hoods to ensure customer safety, the city’s home affairs minister has said, with authorities giving the sector a one-year grace period. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen also said on Saturday that the government would discuss implementation arrangements with the sector soon, after some representatives flagged that they had not been consulted before the requirement was introduced. “We have heard different... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361840/hong-kong-mandates-fire-escape-hoods-hotels-and-guest-houses-boost-safety?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361840/hong-kong-mandates-fire-escape-hoods-hotels-and-guest-houses-boost-safety?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:22:03 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Hong Kong authorities issued 21 fixed-penalty notices in the first six days of a citywide ban on smoking on construction sites, the labour commissioner has revealed, describing the situation as not ideal. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said on Saturday that about 530 construction sites had been inspected during the first six days of the ban, which took effect on July 17. Apart from the 21 fixed-penalty tickets, authorities also issued five improvement notices to contractors, with one... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361838/hong-kong-fines-21-construction-workers-smoking-first-6-days-site-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361838/hong-kong-fines-21-construction-workers-smoking-first-6-days-site-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:19:57 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The administrator of fire-hit Wang Fuk Court is still settling contracts and gradually issuing refunds to owners after organising hundreds of thousands of documents, Hong Kong’s home affairs minister has said in response to residents’ concerns. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Saturday that Hop On Management Company, the government-appointed administrator of the housing estate in Tai Po, was gradually refunding owners the remaining balance of the estate’s major... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361832/hop-issuing-more-tai-po-fire-refunds-after-sorting-chaotic-records-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361832/hop-issuing-more-tai-po-fire-refunds-after-sorting-chaotic-records-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:06:44 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s competition watchdog has revised its tender clauses to require bidders to make a statutory declaration that they have not engaged in collusion on a project, as part of a wider move to criminalise bid-rigging following the city’s deadliest fire in decades. Senior counsel Jat Sew-tong, chairman of the Competition Commission, also said on Thursday the body was considering proposing to raise the maximum penalty for the proposed criminal offence from seven to 10 years. Tendering practices... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3361629/hong-kongs-competition-watchdog-tightens-tender-clauses-target-bid-rigging?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3361629/hong-kongs-competition-watchdog-tightens-tender-clauses-target-bid-rigging?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:56:17 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The inquiry into the deadly Tai Po fire in November has started a new chapter. After five months of public hearings over Hong Kong’s worst high-rise blaze, the independent committee is moving into the important stage of identifying responsibility and charting meaningful reform to prevent a recurrence. The stakes are high and the panel must rise to the challenge. The inferno that killed 168 people and left thousands homeless at Wang Fuk Court demands clear answers on accountability and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3361221/tai-po-fire-inquiry-must-discharge-its-duty-without-fear-or-favour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3361221/tai-po-fire-inquiry-must-discharge-its-duty-without-fear-or-favour?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong authorities have issued nine fixed-penalty tickets and 110 warnings to contractors since launching a citywide construction site smoking ban last Friday, according to the labour commissioner. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum said on Monday that authorities had inspected more than 200 construction sites since the ban took effect, adding that officers would issue improvement notices, as well as written and verbal warnings, to contractors who fell short in enforcing the ban. “The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361168/9-tickets-110-warnings-issued-after-construction-site-smoking-ban-takes-effect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361168/9-tickets-110-warnings-issued-after-construction-site-smoking-ban-takes-effect?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:17:40 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong authorities are set to roll out sweeping reforms following the conclusion of the investigation into the city’s deadliest fire in decades, including criminalising bid-rigging and overhauling fire safety and property management laws. Political observers also expected senior officials, including ministers, to take accountability for the blaze once the committee submits its report, which sources said would be delayed by a month to late October due to the extra time needed to review... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3361102/hong-kong-prepares-sweeping-reforms-following-end-tai-po-blaze-inquiry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3361102/hong-kong-prepares-sweeping-reforms-following-end-tai-po-blaze-inquiry?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:30:12 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s development minister has vowed to tighten monitoring of contractors and explore harsher penalties for industry misconduct following criticisms that the government’s reliance on their self-supervision was partly to blame for the deadly Tai Po blaze. But Bernadette Linn Hon-ho also defended the current regulatory system, stressing that violations were penalised. “The monitoring system has never been designed to allow professionals to do whatever they like unchecked. But professionals... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361112/hong-kong-tighten-contractor-oversight-after-tai-po-blaze-minister-vows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361112/hong-kong-tighten-contractor-oversight-after-tai-po-blaze-minister-vows?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:41:13 +0000 Theodora Yu,Kristen Cheung Theodora Yu,Kristen Cheung Homeowners of a fire-hit Hong Kong estate have demanded greater clarity on the condition of their flats after a six-hour extraordinary general meeting on Sunday, during which they rejected an audit report but supported holding another session within two months. Hop On Management Company, the government-appointed administrator of Wang Fuk Court, reportedly told residents more time was needed to complete a survey of the Tai Po estate, which was devastated by a fire last November that burned seven... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361083/owners-fire-hit-tai-po-homes-frustrated-agenda-key-meeting-gets-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361083/owners-fire-hit-tai-po-homes-frustrated-agenda-key-meeting-gets-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2026 06:04:05 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung Tears, anger and exhaustion marked the conclusion of an inquiry into the deadly fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court, as survivors condemned government departments for passing the buck and demanded accountability. An independent committee investigating the Tai Po fire, which killed 168 people and displaced about 5,000 residents last November, wrapped up its final hearing on Friday after 30 sessions over four months. Some survivors told the South China Morning Post that the end of the hearings... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361066/tears-anger-tai-po-fire-survivors-slam-negligent-authorities-after-hearing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361066/tears-anger-tai-po-fire-survivors-slam-negligent-authorities-after-hearing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2026 01:00:22 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma An independent committee examining the causes of Hong Kong’s deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze will delay submitting its final report to late October, a month later than expected, as more time is needed to review documents, the South China Morning Post has learned. A source confirmed to the SCMP on Saturday that the judge-led panel’s final report was likely to be submitted to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in late October, rather than September as the committee’s nine-month investigation deadline... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3361060/tai-po-fire-inquiry-panel-delay-submitting-final-report-late-october-source?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3361060/tai-po-fire-inquiry-panel-delay-submitting-final-report-late-october-source?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:29:00 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Some residents left homeless by Hong Kong’s deadliest inferno in decades have called for merging the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit (ICU) with the Buildings Department after a public inquiry revealed communication failures between them. In recommendations submitted to the independent committee investigating the Wang Fuk Court fire, which were released on Saturday, legal representatives for nine residents said folding the ICU into the department would reduce regulatory overlap. “Given... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361053/call-merge-housing-checking-unit-buildings-department-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361053/call-merge-housing-checking-unit-buildings-department-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 11:45:23 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen An independent inquiry into Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po fire has concluded after examining more than 1 million files and hearing from 80 witnesses across 30 public sessions, uncovering the causes of the blaze that killed 168 people. The panel, chaired by Justice David Lok Kai-hong, wrapped up its hearings on Friday after proceedings that began on March 19. The inquiry examined evidence and testimony related to the Wang Fuk Court fire, the city’s deadliest since 1948. “Through open investigation... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361047/litany-failures-blamed-hong-kongs-tai-po-fire-inquiry-concludes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361047/litany-failures-blamed-hong-kongs-tai-po-fire-inquiry-concludes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 11:00:05 +0000 Jess Ma,Kristen Cheung Jess Ma,Kristen Cheung About 90 per cent of homeowners at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court estate in Hong Kong have returned signed letters accepting the government’s buy-back offer, but some residents have raised concerns about being rushed into decisions linked to priority flat selection. The Deputy Financial Secretary’s Office said on Friday that as of July 16, a total of 1,786 owners, or about 90 per cent, had submitted acceptance letters. Of these, 769 had already signed sale and purchase agreements with the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361028/90-sign-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-amid-concerns-over-rushed-decisions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361028/90-sign-wang-fuk-court-buy-back-amid-concerns-over-rushed-decisions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 02:52:57 +0000 Brian Wong,Leopold Chen Brian Wong,Leopold Chen An administrative “honour system” that relied on Hong Kong’s private sector to regulate itself created oversight loopholes and left obvious fire hazards at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate unchecked before last year’s inferno, legal counsel for an independent committee investigating the disaster has said. In the final session of 30 days of public hearings, Victor Dawes SC said on Friday that the contractor and consultant behind the estate’s HK$336 million renovation project deserved the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361010/tai-po-fire-corrupt-players-exploited-loopholes-regulations-inquiry-hears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361010/tai-po-fire-corrupt-players-exploited-loopholes-regulations-inquiry-hears?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:06:18 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma The legal team for an independent committee examining the cause of Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po fire has recommended that authorities gradually phase out bamboo scaffolding in favour of metal replacements, among other proposals ranging from legislative reform to measures to curb bid-rigging. The suggestions were outlined in 627 pages of closing submissions from the committee’s lawyers on Friday, concluding hearings that started in March to examine the Wang Fuk Court fire. The blaze last November... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361000/tai-po-fire-inquiry-panel-calls-bamboo-scaffolding-be-phased-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3361000/tai-po-fire-inquiry-panel-calls-bamboo-scaffolding-be-phased-out?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:41:31 +0000 Jeffie Lam Jeffie Lam The South China Morning Post has documented Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po blaze in a series of multimedia projects, from detailing the search and rescue mission to examining evidence revealed at public hearings set up to investigate the cause of the inferno. The fire, which engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex last November, claimed 168 lives and displaced nearly 5,000 people, making it the city’s deadliest blaze in decades. For a deeper look at the causes of the tragedy, the “systemic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360962/scmp-multimedia-series-traces-causes-failures-and-human-toll-tai-po-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360962/scmp-multimedia-series-traces-causes-failures-and-human-toll-tai-po-blaze?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:46:14 +0000 Eric Jiang,Kate Chan Eric Jiang,Kate Chan Hong Kong adopted a ban on smoking at construction sites on Friday, with authorities issuing eight fixed penalty notices to workers and intending to prosecute a contractor over suspected rule violations. But many workers said they welcomed the ban and were hoping to finally quit the habit with the help of their employers. The ban was introduced in the wake of a fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court housing estate, a disaster that killed 168 people last November and was suspected to have been caused by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360896/some-workers-seek-quit-smoking-ban-hong-kong-construction-sites-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3360896/some-workers-seek-quit-smoking-ban-hong-kong-construction-sites-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 05:23:54 +0000