7 People and 2 Companies Charged with 25 Offences Over Deadly Wang Fuk Court Fire

Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) have formally charged seven individuals and two companies with a total of 25 offences in connection with the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court (宏福苑) in Tai Po.

The charges include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and tax evasion. The case relates to the devastating fire on November 26, 2025, which claimed 168 lives and injured many others.

According to the authorities, the joint investigation revealed serious allegations of corruption, fraud, and gross safety violations during the estate’s major maintenance and repair works. These included the alleged use of non-flame-retardant scaffolding nets and canvas, flammable plywood, and the removal of fire escape windows to create openings for workers — actions that severely compromised the building’s fire safety design and contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.

Senior Superintendent Tang Yik-gei of the New Territories North Police District (Criminal) said the government attaches great importance to the case. A large-scale joint Police-ICAC investigation team was formed shortly after the fire. Over the past six months, investigators reviewed extensive engineering documents, contracts, and witness statements, resulting in the arrest of 35 people so far.

The three individuals each face five counts of manslaughter. Prosecutors allege they failed in their supervisory and management responsibilities, leading to the use of unsafe materials and procedures that caused the fire to spread rapidly and resulted in multiple deaths.

The ICAC has laid 20 additional charges, including conspiracy to defraud and money laundering involving approximately HK$40 million.

All defendants appeared at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today. The case has been adjourned to September 2, 2026, for further proceedings.

Police and the ICAC reiterated that seeking justice for the victims and their families remains a top priority. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests have not been ruled out.