Arabic version: بدء جلسات استماع للتحقيق في حريق وانغ فوك القاتل

Public hearings in Hong Kong begin on Thursday into a devastating fire that ripped through a housing complex last year, killing 168 people. A judge-led independent committee will investigate whether fire safety standards were inadequate, if construction practices contributed to the fire, and if there were failures on the part of government officers or contractors.

According to The Guardian, the hearings will investigate potential failures by government officials and contractors, as well as examine systemic issues such as conflicts of interest and possible corruption in the tendering process for renovation works at the site.

The fire on 26 November 2026 engulfed seven out of eight residential towers at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It has been identified as the deadliest residential building fire globally since 1980. The complex was undergoing renovations at the time, with bamboo scaffolding and protective netting that may have exacerbated the fire’s rapid spread.

Witnesses, including government officials, former residents, and construction firm directors, are expected to testify during the hearings. Concurrently, police investigations have led to the arrest of 38 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter and six others on fraud charges. Additionally, the Independent Commission Against Corruption has detained 23 people linked to the complex, including consultants and contractors.