Hong Kong authorities have charged seven people and two companies with offences including manslaughter and conspiracy over the city’s deadliest fire in decades.
The massive blaze engulfed seven apartment buildings and killed 168 people on November 26, 2025.
Former residents and relatives of the dead have been waiting for answers for months after the fire shattered the close-knit community of Wang Fuk Court, which housed thousands of people in the suburban district of Tai Po.
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In a statement on Wednesday, authorities said police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption charged the suspects with 25 counts.
Money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of public justice and tax evasion were also among the allegations.
The seven people played different roles in the major renovation project of Wang Fuk Court.
The Hong Kong fire engulfed an apartment complex undergoing renovation with bamboo scaffolding. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP The Hong Kong towers that burned were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh for renovations. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP The two companies charged are the project consultancy firm and the main contractor involved in the project.
The cases were scheduled to be heard in court Wednesday afternoon.
In March, police said they arrested 38 people on accusations related to the complex, including manslaughter and fraud.
Nine had been charged, police said.
About 30 people were still missing following the deadly high-rise apartment fire in Hong Kong. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: AAP Thirty eight people have been arrested. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP The anti-graft agency said in the same month that they also arrested 23 people on suspicion of offences such as bribery and conspiracy to defraud.
Victor Dawes, a lawyer representing an independent committee conducting an ongoing inquiry into the fire’s cause, previously said almost all fire safety systems failed on the day of the blaze because of human error.