An independent committee wrapped up its inquiry into Hong Kong’s deadly Wang Fuk Court blaze on Friday after 30 sessions, as survivors expressed anger over government failings and demanded accountability.
The inquiry examined the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents on November 26, 2025. The panel, chaired by Justice David Lok Kai-hong, reviewed more than 1 million files and heard from 80 witnesses since March 19.
Lead counsel Victor Dawes SC described a chain of systemic failures during the hearings. These included the accumulation of combustible materials, regulatory gaps and unclear responsibilities among departments.
Survivors reacted with tears and frustration. Yip Ka-kui, who lost his wife, said the hearings marked only the start of the search for justice.
A separate source said the committee’s final report would now be submitted to Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in late October instead of September. Residents also urged merging the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit with the Buildings Department to fix communication problems.