Hong Kong Wang Fu Court Fire: 7 Individuals and 2 Companies Charged with Manslaughter

Hong Kong law enforcement authorities announced today the prosecution of seven individuals and two companies, approximately six months after launching an investigation into the catastrophic fire at Wang Fu Court in Tai Po. The charges include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and tax evasion.

Wang Fu Court comprises seven residential blocks. On November 26 last year, a massive fire broke out in the estate, destroying six blocks and resulting in 168 deaths. This was the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948. At the time of the fire, Wang Fu Court was undergoing renovation works and was covered in scaffolding and netting.

Following the fire, the police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) established a joint investigation team.

According to the police announcement, after an in-depth investigation and seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the police and the ICAC today charged seven individuals and two companies with manslaughter and other offenses, totaling 25 counts.

The announcement stated that during the renovation works at Wang Fu Court, the seven defendants played different roles. They include directors of an engineering consultancy firm and registered inspectors employed by that firm, as well as directors of the main contractor for the project. The two companies charged are the engineering consultancy firm and the main contractor for the Wang Fu Court major renovation project.

The Wang Fu Court fire is one of the deadliest in Hong Kong in the last century. Chief Executive John Lee has appointed an independent commission to investigate its causes and related issues in order to find ways to prevent such tragedies in the future.