Hong Kong Charges 7 People, 2 Firms Over Wang Fuk Court Fire Deaths, June 11

Hong Kong authorities charged seven individuals and two companies with 25 offences on June 10 in connection with the Wang Fuk Court fire that killed 168 people on November 26, 2025. The charges include manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, attempting to pervert justice, and tax evasion. Police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) established the largest joint investigation task force in recent years, arresting 35 individuals total within six months.

Who Was Charged and What They Face

Police charged three men and two companies with five counts of manslaughter. The ICAC charged five men, two women, and two companies with 20 additional offences. The defendants include Wong Hap-yin (Will Power Architects director), Wilson Ng Yeuk (registered inspector), Ho Kin-yip (Prestige Construction director), Hau Wa-kin (Prestige director), Hung Kwok-wai, Chung So-fan, and Li Min. The two companies are Will Power Architects and Prestige Construction & Engineering, the main contractor for the HK$336 million renovation project.

Safety Violations Led to the Blaze

Senior Superintendent Basil Tang stated the firms and individuals “failed in their duty of care and displayed gross negligence in their supervision of construction materials and engineering protocols.” Investigators found the use of non-flame-retardant scaffold netting and flammable foam boards. The blaze engulfed seven of eight apartment blocks at the subsidised housing estate in Tai Po and displaced thousands of residents. Court documents revealed the full list of 168 people killed in the 43-hour fire.

Fraud and Cover-Up Allegations

The ICAC charged defendants with conspiracy to defraud over concealed litigation records and fabricated tender information. Prosecutors allege that on the day after the fire, Hung and Wong instructed Ng to backdate renovation forms and reports. Some defendants received bail: Hau Wa-kin was released on HK$500,000 bail, and Chung So-fan on HK$500,000 bail with an additional surety from her mother.

Investigation and Next Steps

The joint task force completed its initial investigation in six months, with charges laid following legal advice from the Department of Justice. Police and the ICAC have not ruled out further law enforcement actions as investigations remain ongoing. The two cases were mentioned at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on June 10.

Final Thoughts

Seven individuals and two companies now face 25 charges for the deadliest fire in Hong Kong’s recent history. The prosecution signals accountability for gross negligence and alleged fraud in a renovation project that killed 168 people.

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