Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday charged seven people and two companies with manslaughter and conspiracy charges to defraud over the city's deadliest fire in decades, which killed at least 168 people. The massive blaze engulfed seven apartment buildings on November 26, 2025.
In a statement, 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 two companies facing the charges are the project consultancy firm, Will Power Architects Company, and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., the main contractor in the project.
The seven defendants, Wong Hap-yin, Hau Wa-kin, Ho Kin-yip, Ng Yeuk, Hung Kwok-wai, Chung So-fan, and Lin Min, were brought to court on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said they included directors of the two companies and a registered inspector of Will Power.
The defendants told the court that they understood the charges, and most appeared calm.
In March, police said they arrested 38 people on accusations related to the fire, including manslaughter and fraud. Nine have been charged, police said. The anti-graft agency said that, in the same month, 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.
Follow us
