Investigation Launched After Hong Kong Fire Claims 151 Lives

Tue Dec 02 2025 13:37:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An independent committee has been established to uncover the causes behind a tragic fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court housing complex, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries.

Following the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court that killed at least 151 individuals, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, has ordered an investigation led by a judge. The fire rapidly engulfed several buildings under renovation and exposed critical safety failures, prompting arrests and discussions of systemic reform. The incident represents the city's deadliest fire in over 70 years.

Hong Kong's leader John Lee has ordered the creation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people.

Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex - which had been undergoing extensive renovations - went up in flames. Investigators have since found that a protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.

At least 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a construction company.

The fire is the deadliest the city has seen in more than 70 years and the death toll could rise further as officials continue to recover bodies.

Chief Executive Lee said that the committee would be led by a judge and would conduct comprehensive reform, adding that he would work to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Asked at a news conference why he should keep his job, Mr. Lee acknowledged that reform was needed but failed to directly address the question.

Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are plucked, he said.

The fire - which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks - was only fully doused by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it started, and took more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.

Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in all eight blocks were not working effectively, and several residents reported not hearing a fire alarm when the blaze broke out.

Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, according to a 2021 government census. Authorities have temporarily suspended works on 30 private projects while the situation is assessed.

Reports also emerged about arrests made against individuals calling for an independent inquiry into the fire, which has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations. Amnesty International stated that authorities should focus on investigating the causes of the tragedy rather than suppressing dissent.