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SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

As charges are laid in the Tai Po fire case, justice must be done

In bringing the first charges in little more than six months, the police and ICAC have acted with commendable speed

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Defendants escorted by the Correctional Services Department leave the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on June 10. Photo: Sam Tsang
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
The ferocious fire that swept through a Hong Kong housing estate last year, killing 168 people and leaving about 5,000 homeless, raised many questions that need to be answered. Investigations immediately began into what happened at Wang Fuk Court and how the tragedy occurred. An ongoing independent public inquiry has already highlighted numerous areas of concern.

Policies and laws are being changed in a bid to ensure lessons are learned and that a similar disaster can never happen again.

Inquiries have, naturally, extended to who should be held accountable and whether any crimes were committed, especially with regard to the HK$336 million (US$42.9 million) renovation project at the development.

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The police and Independent Commission Against Corruption formed a joint task force to investigate. They wasted no time, with the first arrests made while firefighters were still battling the blaze.

Charges were laid on Wednesday against seven people and two companies involved in the renovation. Directors of project consultant Will Power Architects and main contractor Prestige Construction and Engineering are among those charged.
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The allegations are comprehensive and involve serious offences. The two companies and three of their directors, Gordon Ho Kin-yip, Wilson Ng Yeuk and Wong Hap-yin, have been charged by the police with manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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