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Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong fires and safety
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong fires and safety. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Fallen Hong Kong firefighter Ho Wai-ho has officially been laid to rest in Gallant Garden, a cemetery plot reserved for civil servants who died in the line of duty. Ho was killed battling the Tai Po blaze in late November.
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Video | Fallen firefighter Ho Wai-ho laid to rest

37-year-old firefighter died battling a massive inferno that engulfed several Tai Po residential blocks in late November.

Hong Kong

Video | Hong Kong firefighters pay tribute to fallen colleague

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Fallen firefighter honoured in funeral procession as Hongkongers pay tribute

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong right to strike a balance on New Year’s events

In the wake of the deadly fire, cancelling the fireworks display while going ahead with some events is sensible even as investigations into the tragedy continue.

Victoria Harbour will not be lighting up with the usual fireworks display on New Year’s Eve as the city continues to mourn after the deadly Tai Po fire. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesian helper who died in Hong Kong fire ‘was always there’ for others

Desi Widiana, one of nine Indonesian helpers killed in the Tai Po fire, was found huddled together with her elderly ward.

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Hong Kong society

Letters | Tai Po fire tragedy shows importance of disaster risk reduction

Readers discuss how addressing risk factors can save lives and minimise loss, the turnout of the Legislative Council election, and the Japanese prime minister’s controversial remarks on Taiwan.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong scraps New Year’s Eve fireworks, moves countdown to Central

Chief Secretary Eric Chan chairs interdepartmental meeting on arrangements for welcoming visitors over New Year break.

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Chater Road is all lit up as “Starlight Boulevard” for the Christmas season. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fire: chairman, former head of Wang Fuk Court owners’ group arrested

Post learns pair arrested by ICAC as part of investigation into renovation works linked to the city’s deadliest fires in decades.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Singaporean community in Hong Kong comes together to help Tai Po fire victims

HK$1.83 million donation will go to city government’s relief fund for victims of last month’s inferno at Wang Fuk Court estate.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

‘I cried for an hour’: Hong Kong preachers offer support to Tai Po fire survivors

Jessie Fu and Ron Cheng volunteered to support survivors of last month’s fire, but say their work forced them to confront their own traumas.

Jessie Fu and Ron Cheng are also offering support to elderly people struggling to obtain information first-hand. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Opinion | Transparency, accountability essential after Tai Po fire as Hong Kong heals

A city full of people living in tower blocks similar to those at Wang Fuk Court needs clear answers from committees investigating the tragedy.

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A man stands in front of the aftermath of the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, on December 11. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Filipino victim in Hong Kong fire ‘planned to go home for good to be with son’

Maryan Pascual Esteban, who died with her five-year-old ward Hannah in the Tai Po inferno, was excited about heading home, friend says.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong government ‘confident’ of finding site to rehouse Tai Po blaze residents

Identifying site for new subsidised flats is one of several options being considered for those left homeless by deadly inferno, senior official says.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong man, 51, badly burnt after allegedly setting his own flat on fire

Authorities receive multiple calls at 3.43am as residents report blaze at estate, with occasional sounds of explosions.

Flames are seen at the flat in Tin Shui Wai. The occupant sustained burns on 20 per cent of his body. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong inferno exposes regulatory silos, lax oversight: who is accountable?

Industry insiders also ask whether housing authorities should have played bigger role in supervising renovation at Wang Fuk Court.

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The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po claimed the lives of 160 people. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Safety system overhaul needed to prevent repeat of deadly Hong Kong fire

The blaze has exposed a seeming culture of non-compliance and slack supervision at multiple levels in the industry and among the authorities.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Video | THEY WON’T EVEN LET US MOURN IN PEACE!

THEY WON’T EVEN LET US MOURN IN PEACE!

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Scaffolding worker pay likely to rise in Hong Kong amid roll-out of new mesh

City is expected to install new fire-tested plastic meshes at more than 200 buildings from next month.

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Scaffolding workers in Mong Kok. Authorities earlier ordered scaffolding netting to be removed at about 200 locations in response to the Tai Po fire. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Opinion | After Tai Po fire, Hong Kong needs support, compassion – and answers

While the city waits for an inquiry to deliver findings, it also needs a renewed commitment to safety and oversight to rebuild public trust.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

No need for complete switch from bamboo to metal scaffolding: Hong Kong minister

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn’s stance marks shift from Chief Secretary Eric Chan’s remarks following Tai Po fire.

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Operation Santa Claus

Spirit of giving shines at Christmas fair as Hong Kong heals after fire tragedy

White Christmas Street Fair is held by Swire Properties to raise funds for Operation Santa Claus, the annual fundraising initiative organised by the Post and RTHK.

Children perform at the tree lighting ceremony for the White Christmas Street Fair. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Burial orders issued for Indonesians killed in Hong Kong blaze

Consulate says it is working closely with Hong Kong authorities, leading to ‘swift handling of Indonesian nationals affected by fire’.

Officials from the Indonesian consulate in Hong Kong have been working alongside the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to handle the repatriation of the nine nationals killed in the Tai Po fire. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Mental health support essential for all of society after Tai Po fire tragedy

With time, meaningful comfort and social connections will help frontline survivors and the city as a whole recover and find a path forward.

Indonesia

‘She loved us so much’: Indonesian family mourns mother killed in Hong Kong fire

Siti Khotimah was working to fund her children’s education when she died in the Tai Po fire. Her husband wants to see that wish fulfilled.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong considers designated labs to test scaffolding nets after deadly blaze

Stricter checks to be imposed on materials sampled on site amid concern over allegedly falsified safety documents.

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Hong Kong authorities will announce new requirements for contractors to sample and certify the city’s scaffolding nets as early as Thursday, the Post has learned.Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Letters | How Tai Po fire exposed weakness in Hong Kong contract governance

Readers call for steps to improve procurement and contract oversight, official accountability for lapses that led to the tragedy, and appreciation for donor generosity.

Volunteers sit in front of the flowers left by mourners for the victims of a deadly fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, on December 8. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Snuffing out smoking on Hong Kong construction sites will boost safety

Regardless of whether a link is found between workers smoking and the Tai Po fire, the push to ban lighting up at construction sites is long overdue.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Death toll from Hong Kong fire rises to 160 as DNA tests confirm 1 more fatality

Police chief Joe Chow also reveals that a piece of bone has been found on the ground after scaffolding removed.

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