The deadly November inferno spread rapidly across seven towers wrapped in renovation netting after a small fire, likely ignited by a cigarette, went unchecked. Alongside the apologies from top leadership, Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned to shoulder political blame, while a three-month inquiry into government operations was launched. Law enforcement has taken aggressive action by arresting at least 35 individuals and levelling manslaughter charges against seven people and two firms. Despite proposed reforms targeting bid-rigging and complaint systems, victims' relatives argue the measures are overdue and demand the ouster of every implicated department head.
Key points
Authorities have arrested at least 35 people while pressing manslaughter charges against…: Authorities have arrested at least 35 people while pressing manslaughter charges against seven individuals and two corporations.
Proposed institutional reforms include criminalising bid-rigging practices and overhaulin…: Proposed institutional reforms include criminalising bid-rigging practices and overhauling the public building complaints mechanism.
Victims' families consider the administration's contrition inadequate and continue to dem…: Victims' families consider the administration's contrition inadequate and continue to demand the resignation of all implicated department heads.
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Hong Kong’s leader has apologised for government shortcomings that contributed to a fire that killed 168 people in the city last year, a rare sign of public contrition that nevertheless failed to impress some victims’ families.
The chief executive, John Lee, and seven other officials bowed in apology at the release of a report that pointed to “decades of failure” by government bodies.
Four departments “should bear part of the responsibility” for the high casualties, the report said. So far one official, housing secretary Winnie Ho, has resigned.
Last November, a small fire probably started by a cigarette grew into an inferno that enveloped seven of the eight towers in Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex that was shrouded in bamboo scaffolding and netting for renovations.
Former residents and victims’ families have been waiting to see how the government will address who is to blame for the ignored warnings, substandard building materials and disabled fire alarms that made the fire the world’s deadliest in a residential building since 1980.
Authorities have filed charges, including manslaughter, against seven individuals and two…
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