A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Hong Kong has left at least 128 people dead and raised serious concerns regarding corruption and negligence in the renovation work carried out at the site. The fire, which broke out on March 15, 2024, engulfed seven of the eight towers in the residential complex, home to approximately 4,800 residents. Many had previously reported safety issues related to the renovations.
Arrests and Investigations Follow Fire
In the aftermath of the tragedy, police arrested three men from a construction company on suspicions of manslaughter and gross negligence. These individuals, who were released on bail, were subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) due to their roles in the renovation project. ICAC officials have also detained several other individuals associated with the work.
While police have not publicly identified the construction company involved, documents reviewed indicate that Prestige Construction & Engineering Company was responsible for the renovations. Authorities have seized extensive documentation from the company, which has not responded to inquiries.
Investigators are focusing on the materials used in the renovation, particularly the netting on scaffolding and the foam panels that covered windows. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated from a lower-level scaffolding net and rapidly spread due to the highly flammable foam panels, as noted by Chris Tang, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security.
Safety Concerns Ignored for Months
Residents had expressed safety concerns regarding the renovation materials for nearly a year before the fire. Documents indicate that the Hong Kong Labor Department received multiple complaints about the scaffolding netting and conducted 16 inspections since July 2024. Despite these inspections, officials warned contractors several times to adhere to fire safety requirements.
One week before the fire erupted, an inspection was conducted, and while the product quality certificate for the netting met standards, it was not specifically targeted during previous inspections. Investigators revealed that the blaze intensified as it ignited the foam panels, causing glass to shatter and exacerbating the fire’s spread.
In response to the crisis, the labor department has initiated three prosecutions against the construction company for breaches of safety regulations. Previous violations unrelated to the Wang Fuk Court project had already resulted in fines totaling 30,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $3,850).
Emergency Response and Ongoing Search Efforts
Firefighters faced significant challenges in controlling the blaze, which took over a day to manage and was not fully extinguished until March 17, 2024. Efforts to rescue residents were hampered as the fire raged, leading to injuries among emergency responders. Among the injured, 79 individuals were reported hurt, including twelve firefighters, one of whom tragically lost their life.
As search and rescue operations concluded, authorities indicated that 44 more bodies remain to be identified from the 128 recovered. Approximately 150 individuals are still unaccounted for. The incident has also tragically impacted the migrant community, with the Indonesian foreign ministry confirming the deaths of two workers and an additional eleven still missing.
In a poignant display of mourning, residents have gathered near the site of the fire, leaving flowers and messages honoring those lost. One grieving mother, Sara Yu, was seen placing roses in memory of the victims while reflecting on the need to cherish life. The city has lowered flags to half-staff, and Chief Executive John Lee led a moment of silence to honor the deceased.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court stands as the deadliest incident in Hong Kong in decades, echoing the tragic history of significant fires in the region, including a 1996 commercial building fire that claimed 41 lives and a 1948 warehouse fire with a staggering death toll of 176.
