Hong Kong Prosecutors Charge 7 Individuals and 2 Companies in Deadly Wang Fuk Court Fire Investigation

Hong Kong authorities announced Wednesday the charging of seven people and two companies with multiple offenses, including manslaughter, in connection with the city’s deadliest fire in recent history.

These are the first charges filed following investigations into a devastating blaze that swept through seven apartment buildings in November, claiming 168 lives. The fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex burned so intensely that firefighters battled the flames for days, with some victims suffering severe remains damage.

A joint investigation by police and the anti-corruption commission resulted in 25 charges across individuals and companies, including conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and tax evasion, according to a government statement.

The statement did not identify those charged or specify which defendants faced which charges. Officials declined to provide immediate clarification.

In December, officials revealed that contractors working on the government-mandated renovation project had installed substandard netting on the buildings and attempted to conceal their actions. Authorities also found that fire alarms malfunctioned and construction materials—including the netting and polystyrene foam window coverings—contributed to the rapid fire spread.

The seven individuals charged represent various roles in the renovation project, including directors and an inspector from the consulting firm, along with directors of the main contractor company.

Police have already arrested dozens of people on related charges.

Survivors and family members of the deceased have waited months for accountability information from authorities. They have closely followed hearings conducted by an independent, government-appointed committee.

Testimony revealed that residents repeatedly complained about construction workers smoking near debris and raised concerns about material safety. Evidence included hundreds of witness statements and over a million pieces of evidence, including WhatsApp messages and emergency call recordings.

Investigators found that windows were removed from evacuation stairwells and water tanks were drained. The lead investigator concluded that fire safety failures resulted from human errors, including deactivated fire alarms during renovations, which delayed evacuations as the blaze spread.

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