HONG KONG — Authorities initiated a sweeping investigation into alleged corruption linked to a massive refurbishment project following a catastrophic, Category Five fire in Tai Po that claimed the lives of at least 94 people, including a 37-year-old firefighter. The unprecedented tragedy at the Wang Fuk Court complex has plunged the city into mourning and focused intense scrutiny on construction safety standards.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced Friday it had formed a special task force to examine potential graft involving the extensive maintenance work carried out at the public housing estate. The move signals a dual-pronged law enforcement effort targeting both criminal negligence and systemic corruption in the wake of the disaster.
In a significant development Friday morning, ICAC officers arrested two directors of Hung Yee Architects Ltd., the firm serving as the project consultant for the renovation. The individuals, identified through corporate records as Ng Yeuk and Wong Hap-yin, were later escorted by investigators to their Kowloon Bay offices for evidence gathering. This action marks the second wave of arrests related to the inferno, following initial arrests made by police earlier this week.
The fire, which erupted at the complex, has exposed severe lapses in building safety protocols. Fire Services Department officials discovered non-compliant construction materials during the search and rescue operation, including external scaffolding nets, tarpaulin, and plastic sheeting that appeared to lack adequate fire resistance.
Compounding the hazard, structural inspection found instances where windows in the lift lobbies of an adjacent, unburnt tower were sealed with foam insulation. Investigators suspect the highly flammable material may have contributed to the rapid, uncontrollable spread of the deadly blaze, which ravaged the complex in minutes.
Misconduct and Mass Casualty Charges
The ICAC’s corruption probe follows the apprehension of three individuals by police on Thursday. Officers from the New Territories North Regional Crime Unit arrested two directors and one consultant (aged 52 to 68) affiliated with the construction company responsible for the maintenance contract.
The suspects, who reportedly include a director identified by the surname Ho and an engineering consultant named Wong who held signing authority, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter due to gross negligence leading to significant loss of life. They were detained pending further investigation after being brought to various locations, including a village house in Ha Mei San Tsuen and a residential apartment in Ma On Shan, for searches and evidence collection. A third director, surnamed Hou, was also reportedly detained.
The immense scale of the disaster prompted an immediate, all-hands-on-deck rescue effort. Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Operations) Chan Hing-yung confirmed early Friday that extinguishing efforts were largely complete, though crews continued to manage residual hot spots and cool affected units to prevent flare-ups.
Implications for Public Safety
The tragedy highlights critical questions regarding the oversight and execution of large-scale public housing maintenance projects. Experts suggest that cost-cutting measures or lax supervision related to the procurement and installation of building materials may have created a lethal environment.
The joint investigation by the police and the ICAC sends a clear message that authorities will pursue both criminal negligence and any underlying corrupt practices that compromised public safety. The findings are expected to prompt a comprehensive review of fire safety codes, procurement processes, and regulatory enforcement across Hong Kong’s vast public housing infrastructure.
As forensic teams continue the grim task of identifying victims and documenting the scene, the focus shifts to ensuring accountability for the devastating loss of life and preventing similar catastrophes.
Leave a Reply