HONG KONG—The death toll from the catastrophic five-alarm fire at Tai Po’s Hong Fu Court housing estate has climbed to 159, with authorities confirming 21 arrests linked to construction and safety deficiencies as the investigation turns toward potential manslaughter charges. As of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, police confirmed the fatalities include one heroic firefighter, while 31 residents remain unaccounted for, underscoring the scale of one of the city’s worst residential tragedies.
The devastating blaze, which has destroyed seven of the estate’s eight buildings, has triggered a sprawling criminal investigation focusing on allegations of fatal negligence during ongoing large-scale renovation work.
Fifteen individuals—representing the main contractor, engineering consultants, and two subcontractors involved in scaffolding and external wall works—have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. A separate group of six people associated with a fire safety installation contractor were also detained for allegedly providing false statements to the Fire Services Department, specifically claiming fire alarms would remain operational during the renovation process. The arrests signal a concerted effort by law enforcement to hold construction industry figures accountable for lapses that may have contributed to the massive loss of life.
Grim Search Continues Amid Structural Ruin
The arduous process of identifying the victims moved forward this week, though the sheer destruction has complicated recovery efforts. Police reported that 140 bodies have been formally identified, ranging in age from one to 97, including 49 males and 91 females. The victims confirmed so far include a firefighter, 10 domestic helpers, and five on-site workers.
The disaster victim identification unit (DVIU) has completed its initial search of 7 buildings, where conditions inside were described as hazardous, with some core structural walls reduced to bare steel rebar. The majority of the deceased were recovered from Wang Cheong Court (70 people) and Wang Tai Court (82 people), the two towers most severely impacted by the fire.
Police Chief Commissioner Andy Chow stated Thursday that the immediate next step involves a search of the exterior perimeter, focusing on whether bodies may have been crushed beneath collapsed scaffolding. Forensic experts are also examining suspicious bone fragments found in several units to determine if they are human remains, necessitating potential DNA matching with anxious families.
False Documents and Political Fallout
The wider implications of the Hong Fu Court disaster are spreading, prompting immediate government action regarding construction safety across the territory. Security Secretary Chris Tsang revealed that two unrelated public housing repair projects elsewhere in the city had secured work permits using allegedly fraudulent certification regarding fire-retardant mesh for scaffolding. The revelation prompted Development Secretary Ning Hon-ho to immediately order the removal of scaffolding mesh from all buildings currently undergoing major renovation projects by the end of Saturday.
In a separate development, National Security Police arrested a 26-year-old YouTuber, identified as “Kenny,” for “committing an act with seditious intention.” The man is accused of publishing content online that allegedly incited hatred and defamed the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong community continues to rally around the displaced, with one small glimmer of hope emerging for those who lived in Wing Chi Court, the only tower spared by the flames. Residents were permitted brief, supervised access to their apartments to retrieve essential documents and personal belongings.
Authorities have set up the Hong Fu Court Aid Fund, seeded with HK$300 million by the government, to provide essential financial assistance to those impacted by the tragedy. The profound emotional toll was captured by a widely circulated photograph showing one elderly resident, known as “Uncle Wong,” weeping openly at the site, a poignant reminder of the human cost of the inferno.
Resources for the Public
Victim Information Hotline: 1878999
Police Tip-off Lines (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.): 5337 6671 to 5337 6681
Hong Fu Court Aid Fund Donations: Bank of China (Hong Kong) (Details available on government website)
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