7 people, 2 firms face manslaughter, other charges over deadly Hong Kong fire

Hong Kong’s police and anti-corruption agency have charged seven individuals and two companies with 25 offences, including manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion in connection with the city’s most deadly blaze in recent history.The defendants appeared at West Kowloon Court on Wednesday to face charges brought by police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the first laid against those deemed responsible for the fire that broke out at Wang Fuk Court in November last year.Court documents also revealed, for the first time, the full list of the 168 people killed in the blaze that ravaged seven of the eight blocks at the subsidised housing estate in Tai Po.Senior superintendent Basil Tang (left) and Hazel Law from the ICAC brief the media at West Kowloon Law Courts building. Photo: Sam TsangThe seven individuals held various roles in the major renovation of Wang Fuk Court. They included directors, a registered inspector from the project’s consultancy, and directors of the main contractor.