Hong Kong leader apologises for fire that killed 168 as report faults government
John Lee and seven officials bowed in apology after an independent report found decades of government failure and lax enforcement contributed to the Wang Fuk Court fire.
The story in focus
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee and seven other officials bowed in apology on Thursday after an independent report found decades of failure by government bodies and lax enforcement contributed to the Wang Fuk Court fire, which killed 168 people, The Guardian reported.
- The fire killed 168 people, making it the world's deadliest residential building fire since 1980.
- The report named private contractors as main culprits but said four departments should bear part of the responsibility.
- Housing secretary Winnie Ho has resigned; seven individuals and two companies face charges, including manslaughter, with at least 35 arrests.
- Lee announced a three-month investigation into the government's role.
- Bereaved families said the apology and accountability were insufficient.
Apology and findings
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee and seven other officials bowed in apology on Thursday at the release of an independent report into the Wang Fuk Court fire, The Guardian reported. The blaze killed 168 people, making it the world's deadliest residential building fire since 1980.
The report pointed to decades of failure by government bodies and accused officials of lax enforcement. It named private contractors as the main culprits but said four departments should bear part of the responsibility for the high casualties. Lee said a three-month investigation would examine the government's role.
Housing secretary Winnie Ho has resigned, and Lee said she should bear political responsibility.
Charges and accountability
Authorities have filed charges, including manslaughter, against seven individuals and two companies over their roles in the fire. At least 35 people have been arrested.
Some survivors and bereaved families said the apology and accountability fell short. Yip Ka-kui, who lost his wife and home, told reporters that all secretaries for the departments named should step down. Phyllis Lo, whose mother died, said the apology was late but better than nothing.
Lee promised that similar incidents would never be allowed to happen again. The report said the fire had been put out but reform had only just begun.
How many people died in the Wang Fuk Court fire?
The fire killed 168 people, making it the world's deadliest residential building fire since 1980, according to The Guardian.
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