HONG KONG, November 28 — Authorities in Hong Kong formally launched a corruption investigation today following a devastating five-alarm fire that claimed at least 94 lives, including a 37-year-old firefighter, at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po. The tragedy, which has plunged the city into mourning, prompted the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to establish a dedicated task force to examine potential graft related to the complex’s recent massive renovation project.
The ICAC announced the arrest of eight individuals—seven men and one woman, aged 40 to 63—implicating key figures from the engineering consultancy, scaffolding subcontractors, and intermediaries involved in the overhaul. Search warrants were executed across 13 locations, including corporate offices and residences, as investigators seized engineering documents and bank records central to the probe.
Consultants and Contractors Detained
The arrests specifically targeted the professional hierarchy responsible for overseeing the work at Wang Fuk Court. Among those detained are two directors and two project managers from the engineering consultants, identified as Hung Yi Architects. Additionally, three individuals affiliated with the scaffolding subcontractor, including a couple who own the business, were taken into custody alongside one alleged intermediary.
ICAC officers were seen escorting several suspects, hands reportedly cuffed, to their offices in areas like Kowloon Bay throughout the day to facilitate searches and the collection of evidence. The operation saw investigators depart with multiple containers filled with potential exhibits, underscoring the scale of the ongoing investigation. All arrestees are currently being held for questioning.
The ICAC’s sudden involvement highlights mounting suspicion that substandard materials, inadequate oversight, or systemic corruption may have contributed to the unprecedented scale of the disaster.
Broader Safety Catastrophes Investigated
Separately, police are pursuing charges of potential manslaughter against three individuals connected to the renovation works, linking alleged negligence directly to the high casualty count. Detectives from the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit arrested two directors of the main engineering contractor and one engineering consultant, aged 52 to 68.
These arrests follow initial internal findings by the Fire Services Department (FSD). During search and rescue operations, the FSD reportedly discovered fire safety concerns regarding external materials used in the renovation, specifically noting that protective netting, tarpaulins, and plastic sheeting might not have met requisite fire standards.
Furthermore, investigators noted alarming deficiencies in an adjacent, unburned block of the estate, where Styrofoam was allegedly used to seal windows in elevator lobbies on multiple floors. Experts suggest such materials could have rapidly accelerated the fire’s spread, contributing to the staggering death toll in the affected block, Hung Cheung House.
The police suspects were escorted to various locations yesterday, including a New Po Kong office and residences in Yuen Long and Ma On Shan, as part of the manslaughter inquiry. One of the detained, a 52-year-old male director identified by his surname, Ho, and a 68-year-old consultant with the surname Wong, responsible for authorization signatures, remain in police custody.
Rescue Efforts Concluding
While the criminal and anti-corruption investigations accelerate, the FSD has concluded the majority of its operational response. Deputy Director of Operations Chan Hing-yung confirmed that extensive search and rescue efforts, which included breaking into every unit across seven blocks to ensure no one was trapped, are wrapping up. While most of the fire was extinguished, cooling operations continued in certain units to prevent rekindling.
The twin investigations by the ICAC and the police underscore a critical focus on accountability and public safety standards in the wake of one of the deadliest residential fires in the city’s history. Authorities face intense pressure to determine if regulatory failures or intentional corruption created the conditions that allowed the fire to escalate so rapidly. The public awaits further details, demanding justice for the victims.
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