Developers, contractors charged with manslaughter after Hong Kong fire disaster

Hong Kong authorities have filed criminal charges against seven people and two companies over the city's deadliest fire in decades, accusing them of negligence and fraud in connection with a renovation project that investigators say contributed to the disaster.

In a statement released on June 10, police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced a total of 25 charges against the defendants. The allegations include manslaughter, conspiracy, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of justice and tax evasion, as Chinese media reported.

The case centers on renovation work carried out at Wang Fuk Court, where a devastating fire swept through seven apartment buildings on Nov. 26, 2025, killing 168 people. The tragedy devastated the close-knit residential community in Hong Kong's suburban Tai Po district, leaving survivors and victims' families waiting months for answers.

According to investigators, the seven individual defendants held various responsibilities during the renovation project, while the two companies charged—architectural consultancy Will Power Architects and contractor Prestige Construction and Engineering—served as the project's consultant and principal contractor. Both companies, along with their directors, face manslaughter charges.

The latest indictments follow a broader investigation launched after the fire. In March, police arrested 38 people on allegations including manslaughter and fraud, while the anti-corruption agency separately detained another 23 suspects on suspicion of offenses such as bribery and conspiracy to defraud. Authorities said nine people have now been formally charged.

Police Superintendent Basil Tang said investigators concluded that those responsible for the renovation project failed to properly supervise the materials used during construction, including green-mesh scaffolding and foam insulation boards.

"The above work arrangements are suspected of seriously affecting the building's fire safety, causing the fire to spread rapidly, and also obstructing escape routes, resulting in massive casualties," Tang said.

Earlier findings from an independent inquiry have added to concerns over the building's safety standards. Victor Dawes, counsel to the committee investigating the disaster, previously said nearly all of the building's fire protection systems failed during the blaze due to human error, allowing the fire to spread rapidly and significantly increasing the death toll.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and warned that additional arrests or charges could follow.

Investigators also allege that Will Power Architects, Prestige Construction and several of the defendants concealed the contractor's previous litigation history, artificially boosting the company's evaluation score during the government tender process.

Separately, some defendants are accused of conspiring to defraud the government by falsely claiming that Will Power's registered building inspector—who also faces a manslaughter charge—had properly inspected and supervised the renovation works.

By Nazrin Sadigova