World · 6 d ago
Hong Kong's housing secretary resigns after a fire inquiry
People killed in the Wang Fuk Court fire
168 deaths
Leader John Lee apologized and said Winnie Ho resigned after an independent committee found inadequate regulatory oversight of the fire that killed 168 people.
The committee said a lit cigarette end likely started the fire. Foam boards and non-fire-retardant scaffolding nets helped it spread, and the fire alarm system had been shut down.
What we know
- Ho resigned; no personal wrongdoing found
- Regulators had deficiencies in supervision
Not yet
- Whether employees were derelict in their duties
Lee said no personal wrongdoing was found against Ho, and announced a three-month investigation into whether government employees failed in their duties.
Some residents say it is not enough. One woman who lost her mother said the criminal trial has not begun and justice has yet to be served.
