‘Deception succeeded because the regulators’ own practices enabled it’: HK housing minister resigns after botched fire investigation that killed 168

From the source

Hong Kong leader John Lee apologized Thursday and said his housing secretary resigned after an investigation into the city’s deadliest fire in decades found inadequate regulatory oversight. The massive fire that broke out last November engulfed seven buildings in an apartment complex in a northern suburban district, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of others. Many former residents of Wang Fuk Court have spent nearly a year waiting to see how the government will address accountability for the disaster that claimed their loved ones and their homes, which were undergoing building maintenance work at the time. At the opening of the news conference, Lee and seven other top officials bowed in apology. Lee said the death toll deeply saddened him. “As the chief executive, I apologize to the disaster victims and the public, and commit to fulfilling my responsibilities to lead the government with full force in resolving problems,” he said. “Comprehensive reforms will also be carried…

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