Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong fires and safety

Hong Kong grants HK$6.15 million to family of firefighter killed in Tai Po blaze

6 Mar 2026 - 3:57PM

Letters | Hong Kong cannot allow a wait-and-see approach to fire safety

2 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Hi-tech aids proposed to help elderly climb stairs to fire-ravaged Tai Po flats

Wang Fuk Court residents will soon be allowed to check their flats and collect personal items but lifts remain inoperative.

28 Feb 2026 - 11:03PMvideocam

The blaze ripped through seven Wang Fuk Court blocks, claiming 168 lives. Photo: Sam Tsang

Residents of fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court can retrieve belongings from late April

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says two-month preparatory period will prioritise safety with access granted in stages.

26 Feb 2026 - 10:35PM

Hong Kong fire department to review strategies following Tai Po inferno

New steering committee within Fire Services Department will evaluate operational strategies.

24 Feb 2026 - 11:55PM

Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: John Lee hails ‘role models’ as firefighters feted

Sa’diyya Nesar wins the Lion Rock People’s Choice Award for her work in promoting disability inclusion.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:12AM

(Front row, from left) Fire services chief Andy Yeung, the SCMP’s Tammy Tam, Alibaba’s Joe Tsai, perseverance award finalist Cassie Li, Chief Executive John Lee, Ocean Park’s Paulo Pong and Sino Group’s Nikki Ng with other finalists and guests at the ceremony. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong national security law

Editorial | Buy-back plan offers Hong Kong’s fire-hit homeowners a fresh start

Generous pricing and a flat-exchange pledge make this settlement package a swift and practical solution for affected households.

24 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong commentator facing up to 7 years in jail in seditious posts case

Magistrate grants prosecutors’ request to transfer case of Wong Kwok-ngon, known by pen name Wong On-yin, to higher District Court.

23 Feb 2026 - 7:00PM

Hong Kong fire victims to keep receiving HK$150,000 annual aid until rehoused

If the exchange flat is not ready for 2½ years, the annual subsidy will continue until they move in, an official says.

23 Feb 2026 - 9:42PM

The Tai Po fire claimed 168 lives and displaced about 5,000 when it swept the Wang Fuk Court residential complex last November. Photo: Eugene Lee

Some Tai Po fire survivors doubtful over government’s ‘unfair’ rehousing plan

Some residents of Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court dissatisfied with HK$6.8 billion flat buy-back proposal, continue asking for in-situ redevelopment.

23 Feb 2026 - 7:40PM

A view of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Some affected residents are still adamant that the government should offer in situ redevelopment in the wake of last year’s deadly fire that destroyed seven of the estate’s eight buildings. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong Basic Law

Hong Kong official warns of lower payout if Tai Po fire victims reject buy-back plan

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong urges Wang Fuk Court flat owners to ‘make a wise decision’ or face lower compensation under possible legislation.

22 Feb 2026 - 7:31PM

Editorial | Social workers handling Hong Kong fire cases should be well supported

The death of a social worker has focused attention on the heavy workload of Social Welfare Department staff in the aftermath of the disaster.

22 Feb 2026 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Wang Fuk Court buyback plan disappoints some residents despite ‘generous’ offer

Government announces offer to purchase flats destroyed in blaze at HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot, but some residents prefer redevelopment.

21 Feb 2026 - 11:43PM

The government has ruled out redeveloping Wang Fuk Court, as it could take nine to 10 years. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong to spend HK$6.8 billion buying back fire-ravaged Tai Po flats

Deputy financial secretary says government offering HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot and will draw HK$4 billion from public funds.

21 Feb 2026 - 11:16PM

The Tai Po fire claimed 168 lives. Photo: Dickson Lee

Editorial | Fixed penalty can spark reduction in smoking on Hong Kong construction sites

Imposing a predetermined fine for smoking on construction sites should improve safety and ensure greater compliance.

21 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong workers/labour rights

Tai Po fire owners to get buy-back offer of up to about HK$10,000 per square foot

Government sources say resettlement plan to be announced as early as Saturday.

21 Feb 2026 - 10:39PM

Workers ready to sacrifice Lunar New Year break as scaffold net rules bite

Labour groups warn of rising unemployment as stricter scaffold net rules stall projects and leave hundreds of workers unpaid for months.

18 Feb 2026 - 9:27PM

Plumber Anson Hui has gone from earning about HK$40,000 a month to HK$10,000 amid delays to major maintenance projects. Photo: Edmond So

Crime in Hong Kong

22 arrested as Hong Kong’s ICAC raids firms linked to shady renovation deals

Arrests related to seven building renovation projects involving contracts worth more than HK$200 million.

13 Feb 2026 - 10:19PM

Education in Hong Kong

University in Hong Kong ‘expels’ student arrested for sedition over Tai Po fire

Miles Kwan, who was arrested after launching a petition calling on the government to meet four demands following the blaze, claims he has been expelled.

13 Feb 2026 - 10:07PM

Social workers in Tai Po fire relief warn of burnout after colleague dies

Lack of communication by government on aid plans often adds stress to heavy workload, they say.

12 Feb 2026 - 9:42AM

After the catastrophic Tai Po fire last November, the government announced a “one social worker per household” initiative. Photo: Sam Tsang

Letters | In Hong Kong, ‘animal-friendly’ should be the default setting

Readers discuss how Hong Kong can become a genuinely animal-friendly city, and the implementation of pet-friendly regulations.

11 Feb 2026 - 11:30AM

Dogs and their owners take the Star Ferry during a “Shipcation” organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 2023. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Mainland China

Hong Kong fire victims willing to sell flats to government: John Lee

But chief executive says government task force faces challenges in addressing families’ varying needs.

10 Feb 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

Hong Kong lawmakers call for greater scrutiny of flat owners’ proxies

Legislators respond to government’s proposed changes to law governing building management including maintenance projects.

9 Feb 2026 - 9:44PM

Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Tai Po fire highlights need for Hong Kong to allow class actions

The introduction of class actions is worth considering as it will make justice more accessible for Hongkongers.

9 Feb 2026 - 6:45AM

A man walks past burnt buildings after the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district on November 28 2025. Photo: AP

Hong Kong government defends estate administrator after Tai Po fire hearing

Minister says Hop On Management will be present ‘as necessary’ at future hearings following criticism residents lacked legal representation.

8 Feb 2026 - 11:00PM

Residents queue for a place at the independent committee’s first public meeting on Thursday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong fire inquiry finds key clues of systemic failures: barrister

At the first meeting, residents of Wang Fuk Court call on committee to identify and hold those responsible to account.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:59PM