On Wednesday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government ordered the removal of all scaffolding nets used in building maintenance projects across Hong Kong for mandatory fire safety inspections. The directive follows the tragic blaze at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po District, which claimed 159 lives by 2 p.m. that day.
Bernadette Linn, secretary for development of the HKSAR government, said removed materials will undergo safety checks under new rubrics set to be issued next week. Only approved nets and scaffold components will return to service, Linn added.
HKSAR police completed searches inside all seven affected buildings and will expand efforts to the surrounding areas. Officers will carefully remove collapsed scaffolding and sift through ashes under controlled conditions to locate any remaining victims, the force said.
In a crackdown on potential negligence, the police arrested six individuals linked to a contractor responsible for fire safety installations at Wang Fuk Court. Authorities allege the contractor deceived the Fire Services Department by claiming alarm systems were operational during maintenance. Investigations into document forgery related to renovation materials are also underway.
Financial relief is pouring in. The SAR government has rolled out tax breaks and fee waivers, and the disaster-relief fund for Wang Fuk Court residents has reached HK$2.4 billion (about US$308 million). The Health Bureau is covering all medical and rehabilitation costs for victims, and residents of the eight affected buildings, including foreign domestic helpers, will receive full public medical fee waivers until December 31, 2026. The Education Bureau will grant HK$20,000 to each student from the complex for school supplies or transport.
The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee continues to deliver critical relief supplies from the Chinese mainland, such as protective goggles, waterproof gloves, and emergency lighting that aided the search for remains.
As the HKSAR government and emergency services move from rescue to recovery, the focus remains on safety, accountability, and support for residents impacted by one of the deadliest fires in the region’s recent history.
Reference(s):
Fire safety checks ordered across Hong Kong after Wang Fuk Court blaze
cgtn.com
