20th December 2025 – (Hong Kong) The fatality count from the No. 5 alarm blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has increased to 161, after forensic testing found the DNA of a married couple within one of the previously recovered remains. Police Commissioner Joe Chow said this morning that DNA identification continues and further revisions to the toll cannot be ruled out. He added that work to remove external protective nets and scaffolding began last Friday, but for safety reasons has so far proceeded at only four of the seven affected blocks. Evidence collection is ongoing and no completion date has been set.
The fire broke out at 2.51pm on 26th November, with bamboo scaffolding between the first and second floors of Wang Cheong House igniting before flames spread rapidly to six other blocks. Only Wang Chi House was not affected. The blaze burned for more than 43 hours and was largely extinguished at 10.18am on 28th November. In the days that followed, joint rescue and search operations by the Fire Services Department and the Police Disaster Victim Identification Unit confirmed 160 deaths, including firefighter Ho Wai-ho; 79 people were injured, and as at 9 December six individuals remained unaccounted for.
On 12th December, the Government established an Independent Committee to examine the incident. Mr Justice David Lok was appointed Chair, with Mr Chan Kin-por and Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen as Members. The committee’s mandate includes determining the causes of ignition and rapid fire spread, reviewing arrangements for major building repair projects, assessing the adequacy of current legal controls and sanctions, and making recommendations to the Government. It is required to complete its report within nine months.
In a separate development on 19thDecember, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak said the Government had applied to the Lands Tribunal under the Building Management Ordinance to dissolve the current management committee of the Wang Fuk Court owners’ corporation and to appoint Hop On Management Company Limited, under the Chinachem Group, as the administrator to handle post-fire management and follow-up matters. The appointment would not displace the rights of owners and carries no administrative fee, according to Hop On.
Also on 19 December, the Fire Services Department accorded the highest honours at the funeral of fallen firefighter Ho Wai-ho at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, before a cortege proceeded to the disaster site for a roadside tribute, then to Sha Tin Fire Station and ultimately to Gallant Garden at Wo Hop Shek for burial.
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