An inquiry into Hong Kong's deadliest inferno in decades revealed that government surveyors failed to detect major fire risks at a housing complex due to outdated inspection guidelines that did not require in-person checks.

Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po continued to return to their fire-scorched housing estate over the weekend to collect personal belongings. Families planned to take final photos inside their flats, while others brought flowers to mourn neighbors lost in the blaze.

Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, are returning to their fire-damaged homes to retrieve belongings and find closure after a deadly blaze, with one resident hoping to play a final piano tune.

Residents affected by a fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, are sifting through their charred homes to retrieve belongings, prompting calls for the government to provide better assistance.

A senior official informed a public inquiry into the deadly Tai Po blaze that fire hazards such as substandard scaffold netting, flammable foam boards, and workers smoking on site fell outside the purview of the Fire Services Department.

A Labour Department official testified at an inquiry into Hong Kong's deadly Tai Po inferno, stating that the temporary removal of fireproof windows from emergency passages in the blaze-hit estate complied with occupational safety protocols. This testimony has raised further questions.

An independent inquiry into a fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po heard that the owners' corporation had tried to pressure the renovation contractor not to use flammable boards and substandard construction nets.

A group of survivors of the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire have petitioned Hong Kong’s top officials twice in a week, urging the government to rebuild the fire-ravaged residential estate on site and to…

China's top official for Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, warned that some individuals are 'politicizing' the deadly Tai Po fire and attempting to use the disaster to 'stir up chaos' in the city.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive has vowed to enhance the city's governance in public security and safety, and to implement systemic reforms following a fatal fire in Tai Po, linking it to national security.

A Fire Services Department commander testified before a probe committee that there was no record of firefighter Ho Wai-ho entering a building at the fatal Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po before his death. The testimony was given on the 11th day of the inquiry.

A deadly fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has become a symbol of China's tightening grip on the island, with authorities silencing criticism and importing mainland methods under the National Security Law.

A public inquiry into Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, which ravaged the Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, has heard that no fire risk assessment was conducted for the HK$336 million renovation project.

A petition by homeowners of the fire-hit Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, may contain forged signatures, according to the government. The Home Affairs Department stated that the petition lacked proper authentication mechanisms.

An investigation into a deadly blaze in Tai Po, Hong Kong, found that a fire services company never conducted on-site inspections before submitting 85 notices to shut down the housing estate's hose reel system.

Despite claims of no real estate bubble in Lithuania due to rising wages supporting decreasing supply and increasing prices, concerns remain about the Vilnius market, particularly regarding affordable housing and government actions.

Hong Kong catering giant Maxim's Group has intensified its annual fundraising efforts as part of Operation Santa Claus to provide emergency relief to victims of the deadly Tai Po fire and support long-term community projects.

A public inquiry into the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po heard that renovation workers continued to smoke despite complaints from estate management to the project contractor.

The independent inquiry into Hong Kong's deadly Tai Po blaze continues, with a property management employee testifying that a consultant knew about government inspections a week prior, while the inquiry also focuses on deactivated fire alarms and water supply issues.

The independent committee investigating the fatal Tai Po fire in Hong Kong has called on the public to submit information regarding suspected corruption in large-scale building maintenance projects.

The official transcript of a public hearing into Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades has been found to contain several key errors, prompting calls for live-streamed proceedings to enhance transparency.

At least two bid-rigging syndicates are potentially linked to the HK$336 million renovation bid for a housing estate destroyed in Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, according to a lawyer for the competition watchdog.

Three survivors of the fatal Wang Fuk Court blaze in November have testified at a public inquiry, recounting their narrow escapes from the burning housing estate and expressing regret over not alerting neighbors amid silent fire alarms.

An explainer details the unresolved issues surrounding insurance claims and payouts for flat owners, almost four months after a deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po killed 168 people and displaced thousands.

A No. 3 alarm fire at Lo Wai village in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, led to the evacuation of 100 residents, according to the Fire Services Department.

A firefighter killed in Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades may have entered the wrong building amid the initial chaos at the scene and fallen from a height, the first day of a public hearing into…

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades has identified 14 members of Wang Fuk Court's former owners' corporation management group and seven residents as 'involved parties' who will give evidence at its hearings.

More than 300 homeowners from the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po have signed a petition to be sent to Hong Kong’s leader, demanding a face-to-face meeting with government-appointed Hop On Management Company over unresolved issues. The letter to the Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, obtained by the South China Morning Post on Sunday, bore 336 signatures – or 15 per cent of homeowners – who raised concerns in seven areas. These include the use of remaining renovation funds, the handling ...

An industrial workers’ union has urged the government to return the belongings stolen from Wang Fuk Court to the rightful owners after a suspected jewellery theft at the fire-hit estate.

Hong Kong police have implemented new security measures, including a cash limit for workers and metal detector searches, at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po following the arrest of three labourers suspected of stealing jewellery.

The family of Ho Wai-ho, a 37-year-old Hong Kong firefighter who died battling the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po in November, will receive HK$6.15 million in government financial support.

The deputy mayor of Szentmártonkáta, Hungary, resigned after a weekend incident where he allegedly assaulted a woman during a political argument while heavily intoxicated, requiring police to question him the next day.

Lawmakers and residents are proposing hi-tech aids to help elderly residents of fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, climb stairs to collect belongings from their high-rise homes.

The Hong Kong government will set aside HK$4 billion to buy out the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court flats in Tai Po, the city’s finance chief has said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced the plan during the 2026 budget speech on Wednesday, days after the government unveiled its buyout plan. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong previously […]

Hong Kong firefighters were recognized at the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards for their heroic response to November's deadly Tai Po fire, the city's worst in decades.

Some affected residents have continued to express reservations over a Hong Kong government plan to resettle survivors of the Tai Po fire, saying they prefer in situ development as they fear an “unfair” flat selection process will leave their families with smaller homes. The residents urged the government to provide more clarity on how the new homes will be allocated, a day after they were offered an acquisition price of HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot, along with thousands of subsidised...

The Hong Kong government is preparing a resettlement plan for owners who lost their homes in the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, including a buy-back offer.

A cyclist has died after crashing into a kerb on Bride’s Pool Road in Hong Kong, a notorious accident black spot in the Tai Po district.

An elderly man drowned while swimming at Lung Mei Beach in Hong Kong’s Tai Po on Thursday morning. Police said they received a report at 7.25am of a swimmer struggling to stay afloat. Officers…

Relatives of Indonesian domestic helpers who died in a fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, are struggling to inform their children of the tragedy while also fending off scammers targeting compensation funds.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD stated its confidence in thriving globally, even without access to the US market. This declaration comes amid increasing scrutiny and competition from Chinese carmakers in international markets, particularly Europe.

During the Tai Po fire probe, the commander stated that water pressure could only reach the 20th floor, raising concerns about firefighting capabilities in high-rise buildings.

An ongoing inquiry into a deadly inferno in Hong Kong is uncovering significant fire safety failures that exacerbated the disaster. Testimony reveals that fire services declined an alert for the Tai Po incident due to fears of confusion.

An investigation into fire oversight, prompted by an incident in Tai Po, has revealed significant confusion regarding the roles of various government agencies. The probe highlighted a lack of clarity in responsibilities for fire safety and hazard complaints.

Hong Kong labour authorities are investigating a fire in Tai Po, with the Labour Department suggesting that workers might have smoked despite prior inspections at the renovation site.

A public inquiry into Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades heard that the owners' corporation of the Tai Po housing complex had repeatedly protested the use of flammable materials by renovation workers, but statutory requirements were absent.

A Hong Kong man who lost three family members in the devastating Tai Po fire has recounted their desperate final phone calls. He has vowed to speak up for his loved ones for the rest of his life during a public hearing.

A public inquiry has heard that a woman trapped in a Tai Po blaze died after her 999 emergency call was not passed from the police to the fire department.

A judge-led panel investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, which killed 168 people, reported ideal progress but stated it was not yet time for a full Commission of Inquiry.

A public inquiry into Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades heard that firefighters prioritized bringing the blaze under control over evacuating residents due to the 'unprecedented' scale of the disaster.

Approximately 380 households affected by a fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, have requested a second opportunity to retrieve their belongings. This request comes ahead of their initial scheduled visits to the fire-ravaged housing estate.

A Fire Services Department official told a public hearing investigating the Wang Fuk Court blaze in Hong Kong that seven-month water tank maintenance works, which disabled fire safety systems, were acceptable.

Hong Kong authorities have turned down a proposal from over 400 victims of the deadly Tai Po blaze for on-site partial redevelopment, ruling out the option as a long-term housing solution.

A government-appointed estate management firm will hold a briefing session for residents of Wang Fuk Court in early May, following a recent fire at the estate. The firm is set to take over the owners' board.

Amid an ageing population, the Covid pandemic, mass emigration, and the Tai Po fire have made Hongkongers more willing to discuss death and funeral wishes, according to a death education advocate.

An employee of the property management firm at Hong Kong’s inferno-ravaged Wang Fuk Court housing estate has admitted the company failed in its contractual obligations to identify and follow up on fire hazards during a hearing for the Tai Po blaze.

An inquiry into the fatal Wang Fuk Court blaze in Tai Po, Hong Kong, heard that an unlicensed electrician unknowingly deactivated all fire alarms months before the tragedy, which resulted in two worker deaths.

New Zealand's Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced that the West Coast polytechnic Tai Poutini will transition into an Open Polytechnic campus next year, while other polytechnics will become stand-alone institutes.

A public inquiry into the deadly Tai Po fire at Wang Fuk Court has heard that a fire safety contractor was aware the alarm system had been disabled days before the tragedy, with no action taken to reactivate it. Residents are now allowed additional trips to retrieve belongings as an independent committee continues its analysis.

An explosion occurred near Lake Lavys in the Varėna district of Lithuania, involving a drone that reportedly crashed.

An elderly survivor of the fatal Tai Po fire lauded firefighters for saving her and retrieving a victim's body, telling a public inquiry that the city should be 'proud' of their efforts.

A lawyer representing the government has told a public inquiry that accusations of a Housing Bureau inspection unit 'tipping off' a renovation consultant about safety checks at the fire-hit Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po are 'groundless' and amount to 'prejudgment'.

Residents of a housing complex destroyed in one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires were misled into picking a convicted contractor for the estate’s renovation project amid “widespread” bid-rigging and…

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. A public evidential hearing into a devastating fire that…

A public inquiry has heard that a massive blaze at a Tai Po housing estate in November, which caused fatalities, was "most likely" caused by smoking.

Over 400 homeowners from the fire-hit Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po have petitioned Hong Kong leader John Lee to facilitate a meeting with the government-appointed administrator, Hop On Management.

Some Hong Kong residents displaced by the deadly Tai Po fire remain in limbo as they complained of rude or unhelpful officers on a government outreach team who failed to answer their questions about…

The Hong Kong Red Cross has raised HK$530 million (US$67.8 million) to provide emergency and long-term support to residents affected by the deadly Tai Po fire, with the NGO expecting all its relief…

Lietuvos socialdemokratų partijos (LSDP) narys Ruslanas Baranovas nepritaria premjerės Ingos Ruginienės išsakytai pozicijai, kad Taivaniečių atstovybei suteiktas pavadinimas buvo klaida.

The family of deceased firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who died while battling Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in November, will receive HK$6.15 million (US$831,246) in financial assistance in recognition of his…

The Hong Kong government has deployed a 100-strong team from various departments to explain buyout plans and long-term resettlement offers to residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po.

Residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, affected by a November fire, may be able to return to their homes to retrieve belongings as early as late April, according to an official.

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department is considering proposing a legal amendment to enhance building fire safety, following a deadly fire in Tai Po.

A Hong Kong news commentator could face up to seven years in jail for allegedly posting seditious content online about the deadly Tai Po fire, after prosecutors moved his case to a higher court.

A Hong Kong official has warned victims of the deadly Tai Po fire that they will receive a significantly lower payout if they reject the government's property buy-back plan, potentially forcing authorities to use legislation for acquisition.

Hong Kong workers, including plumbers, are facing financial difficulties due to a citywide halt in facade repairs following a deadly fire in Tai Po, impacting their ability to secure work.

Hong Kong authorities are preparing rehousing plans for residents displaced by the deadly Tai Po fire, while a student was expelled from CUHK for sedition related to a petition about the incident.

A year has passed since Lithuania's Constitutional Court opened the door to partnership recognition, but same-sex couples still face significant systemic challenges despite the ruling.

An independent committee in Hong Kong is scrutinizing the roles of building repair works and calling for higher qualifications and supervision following the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire.

Hong Kong's fire services chief acknowledged the need for improved communication with building authorities during a hearing on a Tai Po blaze, following revelations of inaction on safety breaches.

A senior official in Hong Kong stated that the top 'disaster' fire alarm and emergency alert system were not deployed during the Tai Po fire because they were deemed 'not suitable,' according to a public inquiry.

An ongoing investigation into the death of a firefighter in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has uncovered 'very rare' damage to his breathing apparatus, raising questions about the incident.

Labour Department officers testified in a public inquiry into the fatal Wang Fuk Court fire, stating that on-site inspections found no evidence of workers smoking, despite repeated resident complaints.

During an inquiry into a fire at Wang Fuk Court, a worker testified that no cigarettes were allowed and no one was seen smoking, with the management committee's role expected to be a key focus.

More residents and engineering firm staff are set to testify in the ongoing investigation into the Tai Po fire, where one resident recalled the deaths of three family members and a domestic helper.

A Hong Kong fire services official has defended the decision to decline assistance from mainland Chinese firefighters during the city’s deadliest inferno in decades, citing concerns about their immediate adaptability to the local environment.

A resident of a fire-damaged flat in Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court has reported a suspected theft to police after discovering their apartment ransacked. The incident occurred after the resident was allowed back into the building following a recent fire.

An independent committee is examining the causes of Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, which claimed 168 lives in Tai Po. A firefighter testified that knowledge of defects could have aided the response.

An independent committee investigating the deadly Tai Po fire has held 10 hearing sessions, with testimonies from residents and employees of firms responsible for fire safety and building management.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades in Tai Po heard an official describe the act of switching off the fire system power as an 'elementary mistake'.

During an inquiry into the deadly Tai Po blaze in November, a fire contractor testified that the firm notified the government about deactivating Wang Fuk Court's fire safety systems, despite never conducting actual inspections at the estate.

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. An independent committee examining the causes of Hong Kong’s…

The independent committee investigating Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, the Tai Po inferno, concluded its first round of hearings, highlighting human and systemic errors.

Famous illusionist Anton Lavrentjev celebrated his 36th birthday on April 1st with a unique magic show, surprising guests who initially thought it was a prank.

An independent committee investigating Hong Kong's deadliest inferno in decades, the Tai Po fire, has reported making "good progress" in its inquiry into the cause of the incident.

During public hearings for Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades in Tai Po, a contractor has admitted negligence concerning problems with water tanks.

Survivors of Hong Kong's deadliest blaze in decades are mourning a woman who heroically alerted neighbors to the flames by knocking on doors but tragically died in the fire, which occurred after fire alarms failed at Wang Fuk Court.

A pro-establishment Hong Kong politician is facing renewed scrutiny after a resident criticized a 'shady' tendering process for a renovation project at the fire-damaged Tai Po housing estate.

A public evidential hearing into a fire that killed 168 people at a Hong Kong estate has entered its fourth day, with residents testifying about issues such as busy police hotlines and piles of rubbish seen outside the building.

An independent committee is holding hearings into a fire that killed 168 people at a Hong Kong housing estate, with residents expected to testify on the third day.

The deadly blaze that killed 168 at a Tai Po housing estate in November revealed “widespread systemic issues” ranging from potential collusive tendering to rubber-stamp inspections and unauthorised…

A public inquiry into Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, which occurred in Tai Po, has revealed 'unacceptable systemic failings' and cover-ups regarding substandard materials due to government supervision defects.

Public evidential hearings have commenced in Hong Kong to determine responsibility for a fire that engulfed a residential complex in Tai Po.

Hong Kong authorities were searching on Sunday for a 68‑year‑old man who has been missing for two days after leaving his home in Tai Po. Lau Kin‑pong left his residence at Wan Tau Tong Estate at around 3pm on Friday. His family became unable to contact him and filed a missing‑person report on Saturday. He was last seen that afternoon on Shan Tong Road in Tai Po. Lau is described as about 1.7 metres tall (5 feet, 7 inches), weighing 60kg (132lbs), of thin build with short white hair. He was la...

Some residents of Wang Fuk Court, including former members of the defunct owners’ corporation, will participate as involved parties in the upcoming probe hearings investigating the deadly Tai Po fire.

Hong Kong police have recovered a credit card suspected of misuse from a sealed flat damaged in a deadly blaze in Tai Po, as residents express concerns about property safety following a recent burglary.

Hong Kong police have arrested three construction workers on suspicion of stealing HK$90,000 (US$11,510) worth of gold jewellery from Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court.

Rusija ir Ukraina grąžina viena kitai po 200 karo belaisvių. Tai pranešė Gynybos ministerija Maskvoje, kuria remiasi agentūra „Reuters“.

After Hong Kong authorities signalled that new legislation could be passed to forcibly acquire title deeds from homeowners at the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court, Jason Kong started to feel the squeeze. “It feels like we’re being pressured,” Kong, who owns a flat on the estate, told HKFP on Tuesday, a day after deputy finance chief […]

FTAI Aviation aims for $1.625 billion in EBITDA by 2026 and has launched FTAI Power to capitalize on surging demand.

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department has launched an internal review to improve its strategies for tackling large-scale blazes following the deadly Wang Fuk Court inferno, with officers set to examine operational effectiveness and equipment use. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung Yan-kin said on Tuesday that his deputy for operations, Derek Armstrong Chan, would lead a new steering committee within the department to evaluate strategies. “[The steering committee will] evaluate the operationa...

Hong Kong authorities will continue to provide an annual rental subsidy of HK$150,000 to victims displaced by the deadly Tai Po blaze until they are rehoused.

Hong Kong authorities will spend about HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million) to buy back homes damaged in the deadly Tai Po fire from flat owners, offering HK$8,000 to HK$10,500 per square foot as part of a long-term resettlement plan involving HK$4 billion in public funds. Deputy financial secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun unveiled the plan on Saturday, ruling out on-site redevelopment of Wang Fuk Court, and saying authorities were inclined to demolish seven of the estate’s eight buildings and redeve...