Hong Kong charges seven people and two firms with manslaughter over the Wang Fuk Court fire that killed 168

Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday filed 25 charges against seven people and two companies in connection with the fire that devastated the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po on 26 November 2025, killing 168 residents. The charges include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion, according to a government statement.

The accused

Among those charged are the directors of the construction company and the consultancy firm involved in the renovation of the residential estate, as well as a registered inspector from the consultancy. The two companies facing charges are the project consultancy firm and the main contractor. The accused appeared in court on Wednesday and told the judge they understood the charges. The cases have been adjourned until September. Authorities have not publicly named the individuals or the companies, though previous reports identified the registered contractor for the renovations as Prestige Construction and Engineering Company, and the structural engineering consultancy as Will Power Architects.

We suspect that this unfortunate incident was caused by individuals acting in their own interest, completely disregarding the safety of the lives and property of the residents.

The investigation

Police, working jointly with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), have so far arrested 35 people in connection with the fire. In March, police reported having detained 38 people on allegations including manslaughter and fraud, nine of whom were formally charged. The ICAC separately arrested 23 people that same month on suspicion of bribery and conspiracy to defraud, including consultants, contractors, and members of the owners' corporation.

What caused the fire

Public hearings held by an independent commission of inquiry revealed that nearly all fire safety measures designed to save lives failed on the day of the fire, "due to human errors," as lawyer Victor Dawes stated before the commission. The fire alarm systems in seven of the eight towers had been deactivated, which Dawes said "considerably shortened the time residents had to evacuate." The fire investigation group determined that a lit cigarette ignited combustible material, sparking the blaze. The towers were undergoing renovation and were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, non-fire-resistant protective netting, and foam panels, all of which likely contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The fire burned for more than 40 hours.

Almost all fire safety measures designed to save lives in the event of a fire failed, due to human errors.

Aftermath

The fire was the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948 and the deadliest residential building fire worldwide since 1980. Thousands of residents lost their homes and had to relocate to temporary housing. The complex, comprising nearly 2,000 residential units, saw seven of its eight towers gutted by the flames. The government has since considered banning smoking in areas where maintenance, repair, or expansion work is being carried out, in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.