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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/

A banner banning smoking at a construction site in Fanling on May 10. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Smoking ban at construction sites must be implemented without delay

Proposed legislation to restrict smoking at sites is a reasonable step towards fostering responsible behaviour and boosting safety.

14 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong society

Owners push back as Wang Fuk Court administrator seeks to delay crucial meeting

13 May 2026 - 11:53PM

Hong Kong

‘Heavy’ hearts as residents of Wang Fuk Court’s only spared block return again

14 May 2026 - 12:26AM

Hong Kong society

Wang Fuk Court administrator outlines HK$127 million refund for displaced owners

Residents express dissatisfaction as administrator says HK$180 million in renovation levies have been paid, with remaining funds set aside for refunds.

13 May 2026 - 12:48AM

In an online briefing, Wang Fuk Court residents were told that remaining renovation funds will be refunded in line with what each owner has paid. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong society

Exclusive | Cigarette butts ‘strong evidence’ of smoking ban breach at work sites: Chris Sun

Labour chief reveals further details of proposed ban and lays out other priorities, including injury compensation mechanism for online delivery workers.

11 May 2026 - 9:00AM

Art

The Tai Po fire took this artist’s home and life’s work. Now she’s starting anew

Deaf artist Apple Tong, whose home and works were destroyed in the Wang Fuk Court fire, reveals how she is turning disaster into positivity.

11 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong

Wang Fuk Court residents flag registration issues ahead of online owners’ meeting

Estate administrator Hop On Management says it has enhanced cybersecurity and ‘ample capacity’ for briefing sessions remains.

10 May 2026 - 10:49PM

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Estate administrator Hop On Management will host online sessions for owners on Tuesday afternoon and on the evening of May 20. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA)

Bar Association proposes ‘double-track’ approach to criminalising bid-rigging

Chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet says implementing ‘criminal track’ alongside ‘civil track’ to encourage whistle-blowing will increase deterrence.

10 May 2026 - 8:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Heroism and grief: 6 residents’ stories from Wang Fuk Court fire hearings

Read the powerful accounts of six residents, among 24 who appeared before independent committee investigating deadly Tai Po blaze.

9 May 2026 - 7:57PM

Accidents and personal safety

Tai Po fire: building authorities slammed at inquiry for ‘mechanical mindset’

Former head of Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit acknowledges that old supervision mechanism had created ‘blind spot’.

8 May 2026 - 10:59PM

The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people and left nearly 5,000 others displaced. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong

Housing checking unit admits ‘blind spots’ amid ‘robotic’ workflow criticism

Te Chi-wang, deputy director of the Home Affairs Department, and ex-ICU head Lau Fu-kwok take stand at hearing into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades.

8 May 2026 - 5:16PM

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

Accidents and personal safety

Inspector failed to spot illegal alterations, Hong Kong fire probe hears

Senior maintenance surveyor thought wooden boards used to cover temporary openings at Wang Fuk Court designed to protect ‘broken’ windows.

7 May 2026 - 9:38PM

Hong Kong

Missed inspections at Wang Fuk Court due to late notice of new guidelines

Nick Yung, senior maintenance surveyor of the ICU, takes the stand after his colleague Andy Ku testified a day earlier.

8 May 2026 - 5:15PM

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

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

Hong Kong society

Wang Fuk Court administrator to hold online meetings with displaced residents

Residents demand answers on finances, insurance claims and renovation contracts following deadly fire at Hong Kong estate.

7 May 2026 - 9:41AM

Wang Fuk Court’s government-appointed administrator will hold online meetings with displaced residents petitioned for talks. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong

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

Committee’s lead counsel presses Independent Checking Unit officer on its responsibilities and whether it had properly overseen key safety issues.

7 May 2026 - 8:28PM

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

The proposed amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance in response to the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court will strengthen oversight. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

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

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Eugene Lee

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

According to the government, more than 1,000 personnel from various departments were deployed each day of the operation. Photo: Eugene Lee

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

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

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

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. At present, contractors are only required to notify the fire department by submitting a shutdown notice after deactivating fire safety systems. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

Residents return to the estate to collect their belongings. Photo: Karma Lo

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

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

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Smoking ban at construction sites must be implemented without delay

Proposed legislation to restrict smoking at sites is a reasonable step towards fostering responsible behaviour and boosting safety.

Owners push back as Wang Fuk Court administrator seeks to delay crucial meeting

‘Heavy’ hearts as residents of Wang Fuk Court’s only spared block return again

Wang Fuk Court administrator outlines HK$127 million refund for displaced owners

Residents express dissatisfaction as administrator says HK$180 million in renovation levies have been paid, with remaining funds set aside for refunds.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Cigarette butts ‘strong evidence’ of smoking ban breach at work sites: Chris Sun

Labour chief reveals further details of proposed ban and lays out other priorities, including injury compensation mechanism for online delivery workers.

The Tai Po fire took this artist’s home and life’s work. Now she’s starting anew

Deaf artist Apple Tong, whose home and works were destroyed in the Wang Fuk Court fire, reveals how she is turning disaster into positivity.

Wang Fuk Court residents flag registration issues ahead of online owners’ meeting

Estate administrator Hop On Management says it has enhanced cybersecurity and ‘ample capacity’ for briefing sessions remains.

Bar Association proposes ‘double-track’ approach to criminalising bid-rigging

Chairman Jose-Antonio Maurellet says implementing ‘criminal track’ alongside ‘civil track’ to encourage whistle-blowing will increase deterrence.

Heroism and grief: 6 residents’ stories from Wang Fuk Court fire hearings

Read the powerful accounts of six residents, among 24 who appeared before independent committee investigating deadly Tai Po blaze.

Tai Po fire: building authorities slammed at inquiry for ‘mechanical mindset’

Former head of Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit acknowledges that old supervision mechanism had created ‘blind spot’.

Housing checking unit admits ‘blind spots’ amid ‘robotic’ workflow criticism

Te Chi-wang, deputy director of the Home Affairs Department, and ex-ICU head Lau Fu-kwok take stand at hearing into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades.

Inspector failed to spot illegal alterations, Hong Kong fire probe hears

Senior maintenance surveyor thought wooden boards used to cover temporary openings at Wang Fuk Court designed to protect ‘broken’ windows.

Missed inspections at Wang Fuk Court due to late notice of new guidelines

Nick Yung, senior maintenance surveyor of the ICU, takes the stand after his colleague Andy Ku testified a day earlier.

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

Residents demand answers on finances, insurance claims and renovation contracts following deadly fire at Hong Kong estate.

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

Committee’s lead counsel presses Independent Checking Unit officer on its responsibilities and whether it had properly overseen key 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.

Editorial | Smoking ban at construction sites must be implemented without delay

Exclusive | Cigarette butts ‘strong evidence’ of smoking ban breach at work sites: Chris Sun