Authorities Investigate Corruption After Hong Kong Fire Kills 128

A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Hong Kong has resulted in the loss of at least 128 lives, prompting investigations into potential corruption and negligence related to the renovations at the site. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the city’s northern suburbs, engulfed seven of the eight towers in the residential complex, which houses approximately 4,800 residents.

In the aftermath of the fire, authorities arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. The suspects have since been released on bail. Additionally, police apprehended seven men and one woman, including scaffolding subcontractors and project managers, as part of a broader inquiry into corruption linked to the renovation project. Although the police have not disclosed the name of the company involved, documents from the homeowners association indicate that the Prestige Construction & Engineering Company was responsible for the renovations.

The police have collected extensive documentation from the construction firm, and investigations are focusing on the materials used during the renovation, particularly the netting on the scaffolding and the foam panels covering the windows. These materials are believed to have played a significant role in the rapid spread of the fire.

Residents Raised Safety Concerns Prior to the Fire

According to documents reviewed by the Associated Press, residents of Wang Fuk Court had repeatedly expressed safety concerns regarding the renovation work for nearly a year prior to the tragedy. Complaints were specifically directed at the scaffolding netting used in the project. In a statement released on Saturday, Hong Kong’s labor department confirmed it had received these complaints and had conducted 16 inspections of the site since July 2024. Officials had warned contractors multiple times in writing to adhere to fire safety requirements, with the most recent inspection occurring just a week before the fire.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated from a lower-level scaffolding net and quickly escalated as the foam panels ignited. According to Chris Tang, the city’s secretary for security, “The blaze ignited the foam panels, causing the glass to shatter and leading to a swift intensification of the fire.”

Ongoing Investigations and Human Impact

The labor department disclosed that three prosecutions had been initiated against the construction company for breaches of safety regulations, resulting in fines totaling 30,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $3,850). The company had also faced fines on three separate occasions in 2023 for unrelated violations.

Emergency responders faced significant challenges in combating the fire, which took over 40 hours to fully extinguish. The delay was attributed to the flames spreading uncontrollably, preventing firefighters from reaching some apartments where residents had called for help. Among the 79 individuals injured in the blaze were twelve firefighters, one of whom tragically lost his life.

Authorities have confirmed that they are still working to identify 44 additional bodies from the fire, and approximately 150 people remain unaccounted for. Among the deceased were two Indonesian migrant workers, with reports indicating that several others working as domestic helpers in the complex are still missing.

As the community mourns, small memorials have begun to appear near the site of the fire. Families are gathering to pay their respects, leaving flowers and heartfelt notes. One mother, Sara Yu, was seen with her two-year-old son placing a white rose in memory of those lost. “I brought the kids here because I want them to understand that living in this world is something to be cherished,” she said, visibly emotional.

In a show of solidarity, the city has lowered flags to half-staff, and Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee led a moment of silence at government headquarters, reflecting on the profound tragedy that has struck the community. The fire at Wang Fuk Court stands as the deadliest incident in Hong Kong in decades, eclipsing a previous deadly fire in Kowloon in 1996 which claimed 41 lives.