Hong Kong Government Announces Comprehensive Response to Deadly Tai Po Fire

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, flanked by senior officials including Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, and other bureau chiefs, held a press conference today to outline the government’s all-out response to the devastating Level-5 blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po that claimed multiple lives.

Criminal Investigation and Regulatory Crackdown
Chief Secretary Eric Chan announced he will personally chair an investigation and regulatory task force. Police have already arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter and conducted large-scale searches of their homes and offices, seizing bidding documents, employee records, 14 computers, and mobile phones. Samples of suspected substandard foam boards from the site have been sent for forensic testing. Once the site is safe, police and fire services will conduct an extensive on-site evidence collection, including reviewing surrounding CCTV footage.

On the regulatory front, the Buildings Department, an independent panel under the Housing Bureau, and the Architectural Services Department have launched immediate special operations. All contractors and registered professionals involved in large-scale renovation or new construction projects must re-examine and submit records and test certificates for scaffolding safety nets and fire-retardant materials within seven days. Hundreds of projects are affected, with random on-site inspections and sample testing to follow. Four other Home Ownership Scheme estates currently undergoing external wall repairs are receiving urgent inspections today.

The Development Bureau has begun discussions with the industry to accelerate the transition from traditional bamboo scaffolding to metal scaffolding, which offers superior fire resistance, and will review existing regulations on both types of scaffolding and protective netting.

Emergency Relief and Support
Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing revealed that every affected household will receive an immediate HK$10,000 cash payment as emergency financial assistance. Distribution began today at relief centres, with others able to apply at any centre.

A “Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Relief Fund” has been established with an initial government injection of HK$300 million. Starting from 7 p.m. tonight, the public and corporations can donate via designated Bank of China (Hong Kong) accounts (HKD: 012-875-2-190159-7; other currencies: 012-875-2-190160-7).

Social workers are implementing a “one family, one social worker” policy to provide tailored, ongoing support. Temporary accommodation arrangements include nearly 1,000 hotel rooms and youth hostel units available immediately for one to two weeks, with close to 1,800 transitional housing and Hong Kong Housing Society units being readied for medium-term stays.

Cross-Boundary Assistance
The government expressed gratitude to the Central Government and mainland authorities. Under mutual assistance mechanisms, Guangdong and Shenzhen fire services have provided ten advanced drones equipped with thermal imaging and extended-power capabilities. Further requests have been made for exoskeleton suits, mechanised transport belts, specialised antidotes, and severe-burn treatment supplies, as well as expanded testing capacity for construction materials.

Whole-of-Government Mobilisation
Chief Executive John Lee has activated the “whole-of-government mobilisation” protocol, directing all bureaux and departments to deploy manpower as needed, including assisting residents with cleaning and recovery when the building is eventually released.

Officials emphasised that accountability will be pursued rigorously, hidden hazards eliminated swiftly, and every effort made to support victims and prevent similar tragedies, underscoring the administration’s commitment to resident safety and the rule of law.