Society News

Hong Kong apologises for Tai Po fire that killed 168: 'decades of failure', one resignation

Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee and seven officials bowed in apology on October 29 as the government released an independent inquiry's report into the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, which killed 168 people last November and displaced about 5,000 residents. Housing minister Winnie Ho resigned to take political responsibility.

South China Morning Post reported the findings in detail: a lit cigarette and an “abundant fuel” of combustible materials started the blaze, which would not have happened, or killed so many, without “human fault”. The report blamed the main renovation contractor and four government bodies, with the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit carrying the most responsibility; it will be disbanded. Authorities relied on an “honour system”, and departments “passed the ball” on residents' complaints. Lee said he would stay on to lead reforms, including criminalising bid-rigging in renovation projects and a new body to oversee building work, and a three-member team will investigate up to 50 civil servants.

“Comprehensive political decision.” — John Lee, on the housing minister's resignation, via South China Morning Post

How each outlet framed it

• South China Morning Post — the chain of failures, and the reforms meant to fix it.
• The Guardian — a rare public apology, and bereaved families who were not impressed.
• The Hindu — the minister's resignation and the checking unit's failure to supervise maintenance work.

What we don't know yet: which civil servants will face discipline, and whether any criminal cases will follow. The Guardian calls it the world's deadliest residential fire since 1980.