Hong Kong leader says 'we must uncover the truth' after deadly apartment fire, calls for building reform

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by Ashley CarnahanDecember 3, 2025 at 05:48 PM

AI Summary

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Following a deadly apartment fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district that killed 159 people in late November, Chief Executive John Lee announced an independent committee to examine and reform the city's building-work system. Lee stated the need to uncover the truth, ensure justice, and prevent future disasters, citing failures at different stages of the building process. Police have arrested 13 people for suspected manslaughter and the Independent Commission Against Corruption arrested a dozen others for corrupt practices related to the tragedy. The fire, which broke out at the Wang Fuk Court, reached the highest alarm level, with reports indicating that fire alarms failed to activate. The government plans to address bottlenecks and reform the building renovation system, including a review of safety rules for scaffolding and protective nets.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Tai Po ×360% Hong Kong ×470% John Lee ×280%

Keywords

apartment fire 90% building reform 80% hong kong 80% building-work system 70% accountability 60% corrupt practices 50% fire safety 50% manslaughter 50% scaffolding safety 40%