Seven individuals and two firms charged over Hong Kong deadly fire that killed 168

Hong Kong authorities have charged seven individuals and two companies with manslaughter and other offenses in connection with a devastating fire that claimed 168 lives on November 26, 2025. The deadly blaze, which swept through seven apartment buildings at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district, was the city's worst fire in decades.

The charges, filed on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, also include conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion. The accused individuals held various roles in a major renovation project at the complex, while the two firms implicated are Will Power Architects Company, the project consultancy, and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., the main contractor.

An independent committee is investigating the fire's cause, with initial reports suggesting that substandard scaffolding materials and foam boards may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, and that nearly all fire safety systems failed due to human error. Relatives of the deceased and former residents have been awaiting answers for months following the tragic event.