Hong Kong authorities charge seven people and two companies over the November fire at Wang Fuk Court, a public housing estate that kills 168 people, making it the territory’s deadliest residential building blaze in decades. Multiple outlets report the charges include manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud, brought after a months-long investigation into the cause and the circumstances around the incident.
The defendants include individuals linked to a consultancy firm involved in renovation work at the estate, according to ABC and other coverage. Additional reporting from the National Post and other sources says prosecutors file a larger set of counts, describing charges that go beyond manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud, including allegations related to financial and legal conduct such as tax evasion, money laundering, and attempting to pervert the course of public justice.
The fire is described as engulfing seven of the eight high-rise apartment blocks at Wang Fuk Court, prompting scrutiny of work carried out on the property and the responsibilities of those involved. The case is now in the criminal charging stage, with courts to decide the outcome.
