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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/

Checks are being carried out on buildings planned at least 39 years ago. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong society

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Initial two-month scheme resulted in 75 prosecutions, with fire service aiming to check another 5,000 buildings following Tai Po blaze.

21 May 2026 - 11:53PM

Hong Kong

Government to handle Wang Fuk Court insurance claims under buy-back plan: Hop On

20 May 2026 - 11:02PM

Hong Kong

Tai Po blaze: Hong Kong to ban smoking at construction sites from July 17

20 May 2026 - 12:23AM

Mainland China

Hong Kong lifts flat resale curbs for Tai Po fire survivors under buy-back plan

Owners can sell replacement flats any time and get two-year vouchers to buy second-hand subsidised housing.

19 May 2026 - 10:55PM

Owners displaced by the Tai Po fire will be granted resale flexibility and housing vouchers to buy second-hand subsidised housing. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Spared Wang Fuk Court block owners given mid-October to finalise buyback offer

But some Wang Chi House residents say they are being pressured because over 75 per cent of owners must indicate their preference by end June.

18 May 2026 - 11:08PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police call to criminalise bid-rigging in wake of Tai Po estate blaze

Force’s anti-triad bureau also suggests making ‘cooperation agreements’ more attractive to encourage whistle-blowers to come forward.

15 May 2026 - 11:05PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Former Wang Fuk Court representative and wife held over fraud, money laundering

Man who testified at Tai Po fire inquiry and wife suspected of abusing Covid loan scheme with proceeds later withdrawn and partly transferred.

15 May 2026 - 6:06PM

Jason Kong, a former management committee member of the owners’ corporation at Wang Fuk Court, has been arrested alongside his wife on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong

Hong Kong government issues buy-back offer letters to Wang Fuk Court homeowners

Letters issued confirming August 31 deadline, but some ‘pressured’ homeowners call for more time and clearer resettlement details.

14 May 2026 - 9:17PM

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

Residents call for extraordinary general meeting to be held ahead of deadline on decision about whether to sell flats.

13 May 2026 - 11:53PM

The fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong

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

Lifts put back into service for first time after fire as residents arrive with suitcases, trolleys and boxes on second visit to retrieve belongings.

14 May 2026 - 12:26AM

Residents of Wang Chi House returned home for a second time to collect their belongings. Photo: Elson Li

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

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

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

Wang Fuk court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

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

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

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Operation targeting fire safety in old Hong Kong buildings extended for 2 years

Initial two-month scheme resulted in 75 prosecutions, with fire service aiming to check another 5,000 buildings following Tai Po blaze.

Government to handle Wang Fuk Court insurance claims under buy-back plan: Hop On

Tai Po blaze: Hong Kong to ban smoking at construction sites from July 17

Hong Kong lifts flat resale curbs for Tai Po fire survivors under buy-back plan

Owners can sell replacement flats any time and get two-year vouchers to buy second-hand subsidised housing.

Spared Wang Fuk Court block owners given mid-October to finalise buyback offer

But some Wang Chi House residents say they are being pressured because over 75 per cent of owners must indicate their preference by end June.

Hong Kong police call to criminalise bid-rigging in wake of Tai Po estate blaze

Force’s anti-triad bureau also suggests making ‘cooperation agreements’ more attractive to encourage whistle-blowers to come forward.

Former Wang Fuk Court representative and wife held over fraud, money laundering

Man who testified at Tai Po fire inquiry and wife suspected of abusing Covid loan scheme with proceeds later withdrawn and partly transferred.

Hong Kong government issues buy-back offer letters to Wang Fuk Court homeowners

Letters issued confirming August 31 deadline, but some ‘pressured’ homeowners call for more time and clearer resettlement details.

.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

Residents call for extraordinary general meeting to be held ahead of deadline on decision about whether to sell flats.

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

Lifts put back into service for first time after fire as residents arrive with suitcases, trolleys and boxes on second visit to retrieve belongings.

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.

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