The Hong Kong government has referred an inquiry into officials’ oversight of fire risks linked to renovation work at Wang Fuk Court to the Public Service Commission, after an independent committee identified failings in that oversight. Chief Executive John Lee said the fire killed 168 people.
The committee’s report, released on 29 October 2026, identified deficiencies in four bodies’ oversight: the Independent Checking Unit, the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department and the Labour Department.
Lee announced a Tier II investigation under the Heads of Department Accountability System. The Public Service Commission will conduct it, with completion targeted within three months.
Lee expects 40 to 50 officers to be investigated. Commission chair Maisie Cheng Mei-sze said investigators plan to collect relevant documents and meet about 100 people from different departments, including the officers under investigation.
Lee said investigators would examine whether officers had failed in their duties or breached departmental rules, the Civil Service Code or other civil-service management requirements. Based on the evidence gathered, they will recommend whether disciplinary action or administrative sanctions should be considered.
Separately, Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned and her resignation was accepted. Lee said she should bear political responsibility because the fire fell within the Independent Checking Unit’s remit, while saying it did not involve personal wrongdoing by her.