HONG KONG’S government has announced plans to complete an independent investigation into the devastating residential fire that killed at least 160 people and displaced thousands, with a nine-month timeframe for the inquiry, city leader John Lee confirmed on Friday.
The announcement comes more than two weeks after the blaze swept through seven high-rise residential towers in the Tai Po district, near the border with mainland China, leaving residents and authorities grappling for answers about the cause and severity of the tragedy.
Reuters reported today that Lee said the government has established an independent committee to examine the incident, appointing Judge David Lok, head of the city’s Electoral Affairs Commission, to chair the inquiry.
“They all have the passion and the love of Hong Kong, to be so courageous to take up this responsibility and I am really thankful to them, I take my hat off to them,” he said during a press conference.
The independent committee will investigate whether systemic failures exist within the construction sector, including potential conflicts of interest, improper collusion, and bid-rigging in the awarding of contracts.
Authorities have indicated that substandard building materials used during renovations of the high-rise complex contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
Public anger over the incident has been mounting, particularly as the fire took nearly two days to fully extinguish. Lee pledged that the government would work with the city’s legislature to implement reforms aimed at improving regulatory oversight and accountability in the construction industry.
“Government efforts will include driving institutional reform in response to public calls and petitions for greater accountability and oversight,” Lee said.
Authorities have also initiated criminal and anti-corruption investigations related to the blaze in a bid to address residents’ concerns and ensure justice is served.
The inquiry represents a crucial step in restoring public confidence and strengthening safety standards in Hong Kong’s residential building sector, as officials aim to prevent a recurrence of such a catastrophic event. - December 12, 2025
