Hong Kong housing secretary resigns over deadly Tai Po fire
Hong Kong's housing secretary Winnie Ho has resigned following a deadly fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex that killed 168 people. The government has promised extensive reforms to building regulations after a report identified significant supervisory failings.
Why it matters
The resignation highlights political accountability for systemic failures in urban safety and building management in a major global city.
The blaze that ripped through seven 31-storey tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, which was undergoing renovation work in the northern Tai Po district, was the deadliest in the city since 1948.
Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, on Nov 26, 2025. (Photo: AP/Chan Long Hei)
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's housing secretary Winnie Ho has resigned over a fire in Tai Po that killed 168 people in November last year.
Hong Kong leader John Lee announced this on Thursday (Oct 29), as he bowed and apologised for the deadly blaze and promised extensive reforms to its building industry and regulatory system.
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Hong Kong’s leader apologises for residential fire that killed 168 people
Hong Kong government partially to blame for Wang Fuk Court fire, report finds
Hong Kong's Housing Minister resigns after fire investigation finds inadequate oversight
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