TOPIC

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/

Andy Ku (centre), a senior maintenance surveyor for the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit, at City Gallery in Central for the hearing. Photo: Edmond So

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po fire: inspectors failed to anticipate firms’ deception, inquiry hears

Senior surveyor becomes first member of Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit to testify at hearing into city’s deadliest fire in decades.

6 May 2026 - 10:37PM

Hong Kong society

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold online meetings with displaced residents

35 minutes ago

Hong Kong

Tai Po probe: Housing Bureau’s checking unit failed to monitor safety issues

6 May 2026 - 8:21PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy: Infographics

Residents passed from pillar to post as warnings before fatal Hong Kong fire went unheeded

The third round of Wang Fuk Court fire hearings, held from April 20 to 30, exposed a “regulatory vacuum” in key areas that contributed to the high death toll, as departments said oversight lay elsewhere.

6 May 2026 - 8:32AM

Hong Kong

Fire services to be ‘gatekeepers’ for safety, Hong Kong security chief vows

Secretary for Security says responsibility for fire safety ultimately lies with Fire Services Department, amid fallout from Tai Po blaze.

6 May 2026 - 12:40AM

Hong Kong

More than 240 Wang Fuk Court homeowners petition administrator to hold meeting

More than 12 per cent of households sign petition and say they will take legal action if Hop On Management fails to hold meeting within 45 days.

5 May 2026 - 11:01PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong corruption watchdog arrests 7 over rigged maintenance project tender

Syndicate suspected of targeting large maintenance project involving undisclosed conflicts of interest and contractor who doubled as consultant.

5 May 2026 - 4:25PM

The ICAC says it launched the investigation after receiving a complaint about possible corruption in the tendering exercise for a large maintenance project at a single block in Mong Kok. Photo: Jelly Tse

Explainers

What the public inquiry into deadly Tai Po blaze has revealed so far

Ahead of fourth round of hearings that begin on Wednesday, we unpack what has emerged about disaster during independent committee’s 21 sessions.

5 May 2026 - 2:04PM

Hong Kong

Nearly all residents of blaze-hit towers in Tai Po return to collect belongings

Government says 6,265 people joined return programme that ended on Monday, with only about 50 households not taking part.

6 May 2026 - 10:32AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Top civil servants ‘liable if they don’t flag systemic loopholes’ under proposal

Civil service chief also says public perception can play role in decisions on pay adjustments for government employees.

4 May 2026 - 12:15AM

Civil servants leave government headquarters in Tamar during lunchtime. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong society

Tai Po fire: over 800 Wang Fuk Court families ask to make second trip to estate

Government to review first round of returns to ensure process can run as smoothly as possible, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says.

2 May 2026 - 8:32PMvideocam

The current arrangement for residents to visit Wang Fuk Court, which wraps up on Monday, allows them to spend only three hours in their flats. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong fires and safety

45% of fire safety shutdowns run past new 2-month cap after Tai Po blaze

Official figures show 5,674 of 12,558 deactivation notices filed in past two years involved work that lasted for more than two months.

2 May 2026 - 7:50PM

Hong Kong fires and safety

What to leave? Returning Wang Fuk Court residents stuck with tough decisions

Residents returning to Wang Fuk Court after last November’s fire make tough choices on what to pack and what to leave behind.

3 May 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po fire: tendering system can’t stop firms manipulating market, inquiry told

Urban Renewal Authority officials tell hearing that body lacks resources to combat bid-rigging linked to estates’ renovation projects.

1 May 2026 - 9:06AM

Peter Wong (centre), the URA’s director of building rehabilitation, was among those who testified at the hearing on Thursday. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong fires and safety

Wang Fuk Court resident finds charred HK$100,000 inheritance after opening safe

Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme.

2 May 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

Several residents have found charred banknotes after searching their flats at the fire-ravaged estate. Photo: Kristen Cheung

Tai Po fire probe: URA’s Smart Tender system creates ‘false sense of security’

URA director says independent consultants it hires cannot intervene if contractors collude to recommend unnecessary renovation works.

30 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

Hong Kong politics

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Former ministers, senior officials and observers point to practical challenges of attributing responsibility.

30 Apr 2026 - 3:24PM

Hong Kong fires and safety

Editorial | More light is shed on Tai Po fire trauma and systemic failures

As returning residents share images of their charred homes, the inquiry shines a light on systemic flaws that contributed to the tragedy.

30 Apr 2026 - 6:45AM

Wang Fuk Court residents return to salvage personal belongings from their fire-ravaged homes on April 25. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Good Schools Guide

How parents can help their children deal with grief after the Tai Po tragedy

Coverage of the Wang Fuk Court fire could affect most children, but how they display their feelings may differ depending on age, culture and other factors.

30 Apr 2026 - 6:00AM

Hong Kong housing

Video | Resident returns to flat razed by Tai Po fire

Wang Tai House will remain open for residents until May 4, with access restricted to five floors each day.

29 Apr 2026 - 6:03PM

Hong Kong

Sisters aim for fresh start after ‘saying goodbye’ to ruined Wang Fuk Court flat

Some residents grapple with loss of belongings and condition of their homes on their return to Wang Tai House and Wang Kin House.

30 Apr 2026 - 12:00AMvideocam

Residents of Wang Tai House and Wang Kin House return to their flats to salvage their belongings. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Challenges ahead for Wang Fuk Court homeowners who reject buy-back offer

Residents of sole block spared in Tai Po fire face steep maintenance costs, and government could use laws to acquire flats, official says.

29 Apr 2026 - 5:19PM

An aerial view of Wang Fuk Court, which was severely damaged during the Tai Po fire. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong

Initial support for HK$1 billion buyback of block unscathed in Tai Po blaze

Nearly 80 per cent of Wang Chi House homeowners willing to sell, with buy-back of tower to cost about HK$1 billion, deputy financial secretary says.

29 Apr 2026 - 12:09AM

Accidents and personal safety

Fire risks not spotted due to old inspection guidelines, Tai Po blaze inquiry told

Government surveyors were following outdated guidelines that didn’t require them to examine renovation works in person at Wang Fuk Court, committee hears.

28 Apr 2026 - 12:27AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Families of helpers who died in Tai Po fire struggle to break news to kids

Workers’ rights NGO says some families have also been targeted by scammers or descended into disputes over victims’ compensation payouts.

27 Apr 2026 - 7:36PM

The brother of Desy Widyana keeps a picture of his late sister in his mobile phone case. Photo: Tang Hoi-yan

Hong Kong

Claims of no foam material regulations ‘unacceptable’, Tai Po fire probe hears

Buildings Department can act against contractors over ‘inappropriate’ use of materials but Wang Fuk Court not under its purview, witness says.

27 Apr 2026 - 5:36PM

Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong’s civil service accountability system will end buck-passing mentality

From water scandals and a seat belt fiasco to the Tai Po tragedy, blaming the system can no longer be a blanket excuse for not doing the job.

27 Apr 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Photo of labourer smoking on scaffolding triggers anger after Tai Po blaze

Social media post shows construction worker smoking on bamboo scaffolding at residential building, prompting calls for company to act.

26 Apr 2026 - 3:01PM

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Tai Po fire: inspectors failed to anticipate firms’ deception, inquiry hears

Senior surveyor becomes first member of Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit to testify at hearing into city’s deadliest fire in decades.

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold online meetings with displaced residents

Tai Po probe: Housing Bureau’s checking unit failed to monitor safety issues

Residents passed from pillar to post as warnings before fatal Hong Kong fire went unheeded

The third round of Wang Fuk Court fire hearings, held from April 20 to 30, exposed a “regulatory vacuum” in key areas that contributed to the high death toll, as departments said oversight lay elsewhere.

Fire services to be ‘gatekeepers’ for safety, Hong Kong security chief vows

Secretary for Security says responsibility for fire safety ultimately lies with Fire Services Department, amid fallout from Tai Po blaze.

More than 240 Wang Fuk Court homeowners petition administrator to hold meeting

More than 12 per cent of households sign petition and say they will take legal action if Hop On Management fails to hold meeting within 45 days.

Hong Kong corruption watchdog arrests 7 over rigged maintenance project tender

Syndicate suspected of targeting large maintenance project involving undisclosed conflicts of interest and contractor who doubled as consultant.

What the public inquiry into deadly Tai Po blaze has revealed so far

Ahead of fourth round of hearings that begin on Wednesday, we unpack what has emerged about disaster during independent committee’s 21 sessions.

Nearly all residents of blaze-hit towers in Tai Po return to collect belongings

Government says 6,265 people joined return programme that ended on Monday, with only about 50 households not taking part.

Top civil servants ‘liable if they don’t flag systemic loopholes’ under proposal

Civil service chief also says public perception can play role in decisions on pay adjustments for government employees.

Tai Po fire: over 800 Wang Fuk Court families ask to make second trip to estate

Government to review first round of returns to ensure process can run as smoothly as possible, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says.

45% of fire safety shutdowns run past new 2-month cap after Tai Po blaze

Official figures show 5,674 of 12,558 deactivation notices filed in past two years involved work that lasted for more than two months.

What to leave? Returning Wang Fuk Court residents stuck with tough decisions

Residents returning to Wang Fuk Court after last November’s fire make tough choices on what to pack and what to leave behind.

Tai Po fire: tendering system can’t stop firms manipulating market, inquiry told

Urban Renewal Authority officials tell hearing that body lacks resources to combat bid-rigging linked to estates’ renovation projects.

Wang Fuk Court resident finds charred HK$100,000 inheritance after opening safe

Another resident of fire-ravaged estate also discovers HK$100,000 in charred banknotes after returning under government scheme.

Tai Po fire probe: URA’s Smart Tender system creates ‘false sense of security’

URA director says independent consultants it hires cannot intervene if contractors collude to recommend unnecessary renovation works.

Will top Hong Kong civil servants pay price for blunders under new system?

Former ministers, senior officials and observers point to practical challenges of attributing responsibility.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | More light is shed on Tai Po fire trauma and systemic failures

As returning residents share images of their charred homes, the inquiry shines a light on systemic flaws that contributed to the tragedy.

How parents can help their children deal with grief after the Tai Po tragedy

Coverage of the Wang Fuk Court fire could affect most children, but how they display their feelings may differ depending on age, culture and other factors.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Resident returns to flat razed by Tai Po fire

Wang Tai House will remain open for residents until May 4, with access restricted to five floors each day.

Sisters aim for fresh start after ‘saying goodbye’ to ruined Wang Fuk Court flat

Some residents grapple with loss of belongings and condition of their homes on their return to Wang Tai House and Wang Kin House.

Challenges ahead for Wang Fuk Court homeowners who reject buy-back offer

Residents of sole block spared in Tai Po fire face steep maintenance costs, and government could use laws to acquire flats, official says.

Initial support for HK$1 billion buyback of block unscathed in Tai Po blaze

Nearly 80 per cent of Wang Chi House homeowners willing to sell, with buy-back of tower to cost about HK$1 billion, deputy financial secretary says.

Fire risks not spotted due to old inspection guidelines, Tai Po blaze inquiry told

Government surveyors were following outdated guidelines that didn’t require them to examine renovation works in person at Wang Fuk Court, committee hears.

Families of helpers who died in Tai Po fire struggle to break news to kids

Workers’ rights NGO says some families have also been targeted by scammers or descended into disputes over victims’ compensation payouts.

Claims of no foam material regulations ‘unacceptable’, Tai Po fire probe hears

Buildings Department can act against contractors over ‘inappropriate’ use of materials but Wang Fuk Court not under its purview, witness says.

Opinion | Hong Kong’s civil service accountability system will end buck-passing mentality

From water scandals and a seat belt fiasco to the Tai Po tragedy, blaming the system can no longer be a blanket excuse for not doing the job.

Photo of labourer smoking on scaffolding triggers anger after Tai Po blaze

Social media post shows construction worker smoking on bamboo scaffolding at residential building, prompting calls for company to act.

Editorial | More light is shed on Tai Po fire trauma and systemic failures

Video | Resident returns to flat razed by Tai Po fire