Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the formation of an independent, judge-led commission of inquiry, mandated to investigate the systemic failures contributing to the recent tragic Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. The announcement, made before Tuesday’s Executive Council meeting, addressed the devastating incident that claimed 151 lives and injured scores more, while confirming that the upcoming Legislative Council election would proceed as scheduled on December 7. The government simultaneously reversed its initial claims regarding fire-safety compliance, admitting that contractors masked critical safety violations by mixing approved scaffolding nets with substandard, non-fire-retardant materials.
Shifting Stance on Safety Compliance
The catalyst for the inquiry stems from a critical policy reversal. Initially asserting the compliant status of the scaffolding nets, authorities later confirmed that seven out of 20 samples collected from the site failed fire-retardant standards. Security Secretary Chris Tang elaborated that fraudulent contractors deliberately combined qualified and unqualified netting, making immediate detection exceedingly difficult. This admission has intensified demands from legislators and public figures for a thorough, transparent investigation.
Chief Executive Lee described the blaze as a “profound tragedy” that has scarred the community, highlighting that 79 people were injured, with 40 remaining hospitalized. He praised the valor of firefighters and the dedication of medical staff and civil servants who swiftly organized relief efforts. Flags were lowered across government buildings, and condolence books were opened as authorities continued searching for 30 missing individuals.
Mobilizing Comprehensive Disaster Relief
The government has activated an extensive support system for the approximately 2,500 displaced residents. Resources include transitional housing, hotel accommodations, and shelter facilities, though fewer than 20 people remain housed in shelters. Every affected household has been assigned a dedicated social worker.
Financial relief is being disbursed this week, including a HK$50,000 allowance for affected households, subsidies of HK$200,000 for bereaved families, and HK$20,000 for foreign domestic helpers. Furthermore, a dedicated Wang Fuk Court relief fund was established with HK$300 million in seed money and has accumulated donations totaling HK$1.6 billion, including substantial support from Mainland contributors.
Accountability and Enforcement Actions
The pursuit of accountability is being handled by three dedicated government task forces. Police have arrested 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter. Concurrently, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has detained 12 people in relation to alleged renovation fraud, specifically targeting the mixing of construction materials. Lee emphasized his commitment to pursuing accountability “to the very end, irrespective of who is involved” and urged the swift completion of the joint police-ICAC probe to secure prosecutions.
The need for a statutory commission was emphasized by Executive Council Convenor Regina Ip and former Transport and Housing Secretary Anthony Cheung, who argued that an investigation led by trusted judicial figures would restore public faith. Cheung cited precedents like the post-SARS international expert panel in 2003 and the U.K.’s Grenfell Tower inquiry as models for effective, fact-finding investigative bodies.
Systemic Reform and Future Focus
The comprehensive government review is expected to address profound systemic issues, including construction safety protocols, the efficacy of material testing, tendering procedures, potential collusion, and oversight of fire safety systems. The new judge-led commission will possess a detailed mandate, full access to government information, and the remit to report findings and deliver recommendations directly to the Chief Executive aimed at preventing future disasters.
Despite union opposition regarding the timing, a parallel debate is ongoing concerning the phase-out of traditional bamboo scaffolding in favor of metal systems. Meanwhile, Lee stressed that proceeding with the Legislative Council election will ensure the legislative partnership necessary to approve emergency funding and enact crucial legal and policy reforms, allowing the city to channel its collective grief into rebuilding the community.