A coroner yesterday declared the deaths of four people when a To Kwa Wan tenement block collapsed last year were accidental - despite finding fault with both the owner and buildings officials.
Michael Chan Pik-kiu said he was unable to find the deaths unlawful and said no one should be held criminally responsible.
The victims' families said they may now take legal action against the owner, Chak Oi-luen, and buildings officials. One called the coroner's verdict after a six-day hearing 'unfair'.
Chan said both Chak and the officials had at least done something, however inadequate, to address the building's problems.
Chak's lawyer, Shahmim Khattak, said the ruling 'reflected every party's interests'. The relatives had called for the deaths to be found unlawful. Tong Ke, elder sister of 20-year-old victim Tong Qingtao, looked distressed as she left the court, while a survivor of the collapse said the verdict was unfair.
Relatives of the deceased and several survivors are considering a civil claim against the department or the owner, or both, said district councillor Pius Yum Kwok-tung.