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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/

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong

Call to merge housing checking unit with Buildings Department after Tai Po fire

Some Wang Fuk Court residents urge merger after public inquiry reveals communication problems between both government arms of similar functions.

23 minutes ago

Hong Kong

‘Litany of failures’ blamed as Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire inquiry concludes

1 hour ago

Hong Kong

90% sign up for Wang Fuk Court buy-back amid concerns over rushed decisions

4 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire: corrupt players exploited loopholes in regulations, inquiry hears

Committee’s lead counsel says on final day of hearings that Wang Fuk Court contractor and consultant deserve strongest condemnation.

17 Jul 2026 - 11:06PMvideocam

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po was devastated by an inferno that raged for 43 hours. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire inquiry legal team calls for bamboo scaffolding to be phased out

Other recommendations outlined in 627 pages of closing submissions include legislative reform and measures to curb bid-rigging.

18 Jul 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

Hong Kong

SCMP multimedia series traces causes, failures and human toll of Tai Po blaze

South China Morning Post infographics on Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades examine chain of events, systemic lapses and inquiry evidence.

17 Jul 2026 - 5:51PM

Hong Kong society

First day of smoking ban at construction sites in Hong Kong catches out offenders

Authorities hand out eight fixed penalty notices to workers and plan to prosecute contractor as industry tries to stamp out safety risk.

17 Jul 2026 - 10:21PM

Hong Kong

Committee pushes reforms, thanks fire survivors as hearing ends – as it happened

Legal counsel for independent panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades delivers closing remarks at final public inquiry session.

17 Jul 2026 - 4:29PM

Hong Kong

Deceitful firms mostly to blame for deadly Tai Po blaze, government counsel says

Jenkin Suen attributes Wang Fuk Court inferno to ‘deceit, inaction and deliberate omission’ of contractors who exploited regulatory regimes.

16 Jul 2026 - 11:31PMvideocam

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire: 5 ‘key weaknesses’ flagged in government regulations – as it happened

Witness says the system itself does not have fundamental flaws, but it lacks a mechanism to target unscrupulous collusion.

16 Jul 2026 - 5:54PM

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Claim that fire alarms would not have saved lives in Tai Po blaze draws rebuke

Judge says comments by lawyer for director of China Status Development and Engineering are ‘hardly acceptable’.

15 Jul 2026 - 9:12PM

Lawyer Aaron Chan is representing the director of China Status Development and Engineering at the hearing. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire: inquiry slams ‘unacceptable’ claim by China Status - as it happened

Counsel representing independent committee, government and other parties to all deliver final submissions from Wednesday to Friday.

16 Jul 2026 - 2:32AM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy: Infographics

What made Hong Kong's Tai Po fire so deadly?

During the final round of hearings into Hong Kong’s deadliest inferno in decades, experts pointed to shortfalls that caused the Wang Fuk Court blaze to spread at an unprecedented rate.

14 Jul 2026 - 9:31AM

Hong Kong society

Authorities slam online claims about Wang Fuk Court acquisition company

Housing Bureau says ‘individuals with ulterior motives’ may be trying to confuse the public by claiming company is an ‘empty shell’.

13 Jul 2026 - 9:07PM

Seven of the eight high-rise towers at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po were ravaged by fire last November. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold crucial owners’ meeting on July 19

Hop On arranges four venues across Hong Kong to host attendees after months of delays.

4 Jul 2026 - 5:05PM

Hong Kong property

Editorial | Buy-back acceptance opens door for Wang Fuk Court families to move on

More than 80 per cent of affected residents have accepted a government buy-back offer, a critical step towards making a fresh start.

4 Jul 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong courts

Bail granted to woman accused of money laundering in Wang Fuk Court fire case

Li Min is among seven individuals and two companies implicated in first criminal case against those deemed responsible for the inferno.

2 Jul 2026 - 7:10PM

Hong Kong society

Fallen firefighter Ho awarded Medal for Bravery in Hong Kong’s 2026 Honours List

Economist Lawrence Lau is among three recipients of the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the city’s top honour.

1 Jul 2026 - 12:52PM

Firefighter Ho Wai-ho was one of 168 people killed in the inferno. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

82% of Wang Fuk Court flat owners accept buy-back offer before priority deadline

Housing Bureau says it received 1,635 letters of acceptance a day before deadline to secure priority flat selection under special sales plan.

29 Jun 2026 - 11:29PM

Hong Kong

Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says tragedy left profound impact on all involved departments and highlighted need to strengthen oversight.

29 Jun 2026 - 12:21PM

Hong Kong

How does this NGO help fire victims, needy people get a dignified farewell?

Soul Comfort Shelter, founded in 2024, not only steps in after death, but also helps people plan for their funeral in advance.

27 Jun 2026 - 8:18PM

(Words on grave is blurred) Family members pay tribute to a victim of the Wang Fuk Court fire. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong civil service chief vows ‘attractive’ pay rise once economy improves

Ingrid Yeung stresses prudent use of public money after some lawmakers say flat 2 per cent pay rise falls short of pay trends, union demands.

26 Jun 2026 - 9:40PM

Secretary for Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan has rejected suggestions that public servant pay rises are being suppressed. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong

Buy-back offer officially extended to sole tower spared in Tai Po blaze

Wang Fuk Court administrator also agrees to hold owners’ meeting in July after declining to challenge Lands Tribunal ruling over postponement.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:14PM

Accidents and personal safety

Wang Fuk Court fire result of ‘systemic failure’ in policy, experts tell hearing

PolyU professors say local building regulations focus largely on interior blazes, while deadly estate fire started outside.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:44PMvideocam

Hong Kong

Tai Po fire probe: experts propose tighter rules and wider reforms – as it happened

Curbs on combustible facades, smarter fire monitoring, tighter renovation rules and review of Hong Kong’s building standards among recommendations.

1 Jul 2026 - 5:06PM

Hong Kong

Exclusive | ‘No limits’ to accountability over Tai Po fire, security chief Chris Tang says

Secretary for security says committee investigating blaze will deliver results in a timely manner and commission of inquiry not needed.

25 Jun 2026 - 9:08AMvideocam

Secretary for Security Chris Tang. Photo: Dickson Lee

Accidents and personal safety

Reducing fire risk to zero would cost huge amount, Tai Po blaze inquiry hears

Mandating that only incombustible materials be used for renovation work at estates is unrealistic and would drive up project costs, committee told.

24 Jun 2026 - 8:38PM

Hong Kong courts

Bid-rigging trial over HK$700 million in renovation work set for 2028 at earliest

Eight companies and 12 individuals suspected of rigging bids for at least 11 building maintenance projects, including at Wang Fuk Court.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:45PM

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Call to merge housing checking unit with Buildings Department after Tai Po fire

Some Wang Fuk Court residents urge merger after public inquiry reveals communication problems between both government arms of similar functions.

‘Litany of failures’ blamed as Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire inquiry concludes

90% sign up for Wang Fuk Court buy-back amid concerns over rushed decisions

Tai Po fire: corrupt players exploited loopholes in regulations, inquiry hears

Committee’s lead counsel says on final day of hearings that Wang Fuk Court contractor and consultant deserve strongest condemnation.

Tai Po fire inquiry legal team calls for bamboo scaffolding to be phased out

Other recommendations outlined in 627 pages of closing submissions include legislative reform and measures to curb bid-rigging.

SCMP multimedia series traces causes, failures and human toll of Tai Po blaze

South China Morning Post infographics on Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades examine chain of events, systemic lapses and inquiry evidence.

First day of smoking ban at construction sites in Hong Kong catches out offenders

Authorities hand out eight fixed penalty notices to workers and plan to prosecute contractor as industry tries to stamp out safety risk.

Committee pushes reforms, thanks fire survivors as hearing ends – as it happened

Legal counsel for independent panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades delivers closing remarks at final public inquiry session.

Deceitful firms mostly to blame for deadly Tai Po blaze, government counsel says

Jenkin Suen attributes Wang Fuk Court inferno to ‘deceit, inaction and deliberate omission’ of contractors who exploited regulatory regimes.

Tai Po fire: 5 ‘key weaknesses’ flagged in government regulations – as it happened

Witness says the system itself does not have fundamental flaws, but it lacks a mechanism to target unscrupulous collusion.

Claim that fire alarms would not have saved lives in Tai Po blaze draws rebuke

Judge says comments by lawyer for director of China Status Development and Engineering are ‘hardly acceptable’.

Tai Po fire: inquiry slams ‘unacceptable’ claim by China Status - as it happened

Counsel representing independent committee, government and other parties to all deliver final submissions from Wednesday to Friday.

What made Hong Kong's Tai Po fire so deadly?

During the final round of hearings into Hong Kong’s deadliest inferno in decades, experts pointed to shortfalls that caused the Wang Fuk Court blaze to spread at an unprecedented rate.

Authorities slam online claims about Wang Fuk Court acquisition company

Housing Bureau says ‘individuals with ulterior motives’ may be trying to confuse the public by claiming company is an ‘empty shell’.

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold crucial owners’ meeting on July 19

Hop On arranges four venues across Hong Kong to host attendees after months of delays.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Buy-back acceptance opens door for Wang Fuk Court families to move on

More than 80 per cent of affected residents have accepted a government buy-back offer, a critical step towards making a fresh start.

Bail granted to woman accused of money laundering in Wang Fuk Court fire case

Li Min is among seven individuals and two companies implicated in first criminal case against those deemed responsible for the inferno.

Fallen firefighter Ho awarded Medal for Bravery in Hong Kong’s 2026 Honours List

Economist Lawrence Lau is among three recipients of the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the city’s top honour.

82% of Wang Fuk Court flat owners accept buy-back offer before priority deadline

Housing Bureau says it received 1,635 letters of acceptance a day before deadline to secure priority flat selection under special sales plan.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho says tragedy left profound impact on all involved departments and highlighted need to strengthen oversight.

How does this NGO help fire victims, needy people get a dignified farewell?

Soul Comfort Shelter, founded in 2024, not only steps in after death, but also helps people plan for their funeral in advance.

Hong Kong civil service chief vows ‘attractive’ pay rise once economy improves

Ingrid Yeung stresses prudent use of public money after some lawmakers say flat 2 per cent pay rise falls short of pay trends, union demands.

Buy-back offer officially extended to sole tower spared in Tai Po blaze

Wang Fuk Court administrator also agrees to hold owners’ meeting in July after declining to challenge Lands Tribunal ruling over postponement.

Wang Fuk Court fire result of ‘systemic failure’ in policy, experts tell hearing

PolyU professors say local building regulations focus largely on interior blazes, while deadly estate fire started outside.

Tai Po fire probe: experts propose tighter rules and wider reforms – as it happened

Curbs on combustible facades, smarter fire monitoring, tighter renovation rules and review of Hong Kong’s building standards among recommendations.

Exclusive | ‘No limits’ to accountability over Tai Po fire, security chief Chris Tang says

Secretary for security says committee investigating blaze will deliver results in a timely manner and commission of inquiry not needed.

Reducing fire risk to zero would cost huge amount, Tai Po blaze inquiry hears

Mandating that only incombustible materials be used for renovation work at estates is unrealistic and would drive up project costs, committee told.

Bid-rigging trial over HK$700 million in renovation work set for 2028 at earliest

Eight companies and 12 individuals suspected of rigging bids for at least 11 building maintenance projects, including at Wang Fuk Court.

Editorial | Buy-back acceptance opens door for Wang Fuk Court families to move on

Exclusive | Housing minister talks accountability, how to prevent another Tai Po fire