Hong Kong authorities provided a somber update on December 1, 2025, regarding the devasting incident at Wang Fuk Court, confirming the death toll has tragically climbed to 151. Following exhaustive search efforts across the residential estate, police revealed the preliminary findings of a complex joint investigation into alleged safety failures involving fire-retardant scaffolding materials, which has led to 14 arrests.
Speaking days after the catastrophic event, Chief Superintendent Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the Police Casualty Enquiry Unit, conveyed the profound scale of the tragedy. Search operations spanning five residential blocks were completed over the preceding 48 hours. The most recent recoveries included five newly discovered victims at Wang Cheong House, bringing the total bodies retrieved from that block to eight. Authorities noted that some remains were reduced to ash, highlighting the intense nature of the blaze.
Identification and Investigation Efforts Intensify
The updated casualty figures revealed a substantial identification effort underway. While 104 victims have been positively identified, 39 individuals still await confirmation. To assist mourning families, police have meticulously compiled photo catalogs of all recovered human remains and partial remains.
The disaster’s human cost extended to essential service workers. Authorities processed four missing person reports specific to construction, renovation, and scaffolding staff. Officials confirmed two of these individuals are deceased, one is hospitalized with injuries, and one remains unaccounted for.
Police praised the tireless commitment of frontline teams, particularly the Disaster Victim Identification Unit, for their detailed work aimed at returning remains and personal effects to victims’ families for a final farewell. The force anticipates search and evidence collection operations will be finalized within approximately three weeks.
ICAC: Alleged Fire Safety Compromises Led to Arrests
The ongoing joint investigation by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) points to critical compromises in construction fire safety standards. ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming confirmed 12 arrests, contributing to a total of 14 arrests made between the two agencies.
Investigators allege that a typhoon in July necessitated replacing damaged scaffolding netting across the eight-block estate. Those involved reportedly purchased 2,300 rolls of netting at HK$54 each. Crucially, this cheap material allegedly failed mandatory fire-retardant standards.
According to the ICAC, those responsible grew concerned over potential inspections following a separate scaffold-related fire in late October. To deceive authorities, they allegedly purchased 115 additional rolls (approximately 3,700 square meters) of compliant netting, at a higher price of HK$100 per roll, installing this approved material only at the bases of the scaffolding to camouflage the widespread use of substandard mesh.
Substandard Materials Cited as Key Factor in Rapid Spread
Security Secretary Chris Tang detailed compelling forensic evidence supporting the allegations. Investigators retrieved 20 material samples from various locations on the estate, ranging from easily accessible lower levels to difficult-to-reach upper floors. Seven of these samples failed fire-retardant tests.
Tang noted a worrying pattern: samples retrieved from easily accessible areas were generally compliant, while those from harder-to-reach spots were significantly more likely to fail. Preliminary findings suggest that the combination of substandard netting and foam insulation panels fueled the fire’s rapid spread, with the foam panels shattering windows and allowing flames to engulf residential units quickly.
The comprehensive investigation is continuing, with authorities aiming to ensure justice for the victims and their families while tightening regulatory oversight to prevent such a catastrophic breach of public safety standards in the future.