Hong Kong authorities are investigating possible corruption and negligence linked to renovation work after a massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex killed at least 128 people. The blaze swept through seven of the estate’s eight towers on Wednesday; the complex housed about 4,800 residents. Police arrested three construction workers on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence; they have been released on bail while investigators probe the renovation work and oversight.
Hong Kong Probes Corruption and Negligence After Deadliest Housing Estate Fire in Decades
Authorities in Hong Kong have launched a criminal investigation into possible corruption and negligence connected to renovation work at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex after a blaze that killed at least 128 people. The fire erupted Wednesday afternoon in the northern-suburb estate and spread rapidly, engulfing seven of the development’s eight towers.
What happened
The estate housed roughly 4,800 residents. Tenants say they raised safety concerns about renovation work more than a year before the blaze. The speed and scale of the fire have prompted urgent questions about building safety, oversight and whether contractors cut corners during repairs.
Arrests and the investigation
Police arrested three men employed by a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence; the suspects have since been released on bail. Investigators are examining the renovation process, including materials, permits, contractor practices and any evidence of corrupt or substandard work that could have contributed to the disaster.
Officials and investigators are also likely to review regulatory oversight and enforcement to determine how safety concerns raised by residents were handled. The incident — the deadliest fire in the city in decades — is expected to trigger wider scrutiny of building repairs and renovation practices across Hong Kong.
Help us improve.
