Hong Kong Launches First Charges Over Fatal Wang Fuk Court Fire

Hong Kong authorities have officially charged two companies and seven individuals in connection with the devastating November fire that tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex. The charges include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, attempts to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion, totaling 25 accusations.

Among the accused are Will Power Architects, a structural engineering consultancy, and Prestige Construction & Engineering, a main contractor. Key figures—Prestige director Ho Kin‑yip (52), Will Power director Wong Hap‑yin (40) and the firm’s registered inspector Ng Yeuk (44)—have all been denied bail.

Investigators found alarming safety lapses: fire alarms in seven of the eight blocks were deactivated, windows were boarded up with flammable foam, and cigarette butts were left unattended by workers. These failures, combined with alleged corruption in the renovation tender and project supervision, are cited as contributing to the fire’s rapid spread.

The anti‑graft watchdog has also charged four more individuals, including a director’s wife and a personal friend, with fraud, money‑laundering, and attempts to conceal large amounts of cash and coerce witnesses to lie.

Police have arrested 35 people on manslaughter and fraud charges, with the corruption agency detaining 23 more. The case is currently adjourned to 2 September for further investigations.

In response to widespread criticism, authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing warned media against disseminating “false information” or smearing the government’s handling of the tragedy.

Less than two weeks after the blaze, local columnist Wong Kwok‑ngon was arrested for allegedly publishing “seditious” content that the authorities said aimed to provoke hatred toward the government.

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