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Brian Wong
Senior Reporter, Hong Kong
Labour Department found that no workers smoked on site, safety officer says, suggesting that those repeatedly seen smoking eluded inspections.
Ex-committee member Jason Kong says proxy votes kept predecessors in power until controversial HK$336 million renovation led to their ousting.
Committee member also admits owners’ corporation failed to follow through with threats to fine contractor for workers’ persistent smoking on site.
Former management committee chair says residents felt ‘helpless’ and ‘couldn’t find anything in Hong Kong law to justify our demands’.
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Spotlight on oversight failures as attention turns to management committee and contractor conduct, with former chair set to testify.
Engineering firms also say replacing fireproof windows with movable boards was unnecessary.
Resident says he kept calling his mother every 15 minutes and made a video call at around 9pm during which he saw the flat in complete darkness.
Mainland counterparts may not have adapted to local environment nor communicated effectively, Hong Kong fire services officer says at hearing.
Fire Services Department explains its choice of equipment to fight blaze, while police stress buildings were thoroughly searched for survivors.
Raymond Chong, 61, pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court to knowingly publishing 53 seditious Facebook posts that denigrated central and local authorities.
‘If you cannot put out the fire, how can you save those trapped inside?’ commander tells committee investigating Wang Fuk Court disaster.
Committee chair says firefighters’ efforts during blaze will always be appreciated regardless of inquiry outcome, adding most faced unprecedented situation.
Authorities did not pay special attention to fire hazards at residential estates undergoing large-scale maintenance before deadly fire, official says.
Assistant director of Fire Services Department says shutting down fire systems not necessary for draining rooftop tanks.
Cham Shu-shing also fined HK$4,500 for selling Alipay digital wallet to scammers, knowing it would be used for illegal purposes.
Competition watchdog has not ruled out prospect that at least two syndicates linked to renovations at Wang Fuk Court, representative says.
Wang Fuk Court residents criticise contractor’s poor supervision of workers and questionable authorisation process in project tender.
Authorities pledge full transparency in inquiry, pledging swift reviews and fair process without pre-empting conclusions.
Chow Hang-tung says advocating end to one-party rule not same as seeking to oust party, while judge challenges her characterisation of 1989 crackdown.
Charges upgraded against two men accused of plotting to use explosives to coerce authorities or intimidate the public in pursuit of a political agenda.
Ties among companies bidding for work at Wang Fuk Court also suggest possible under-the-table relationships, independent committee hears.
Six ‘human factors’ led to almost complete failure of fire safety measures at Wang Fuk Court, independent committee told at first session.
Ex-lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan says those backed by his alliance should not have been considered as violating mainland law in the first place.
Court of Appeal also dismissed complaints by six others convicted over storming of Legislative Council Complex during protests.
Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan says call to end ‘dictatorship’ promotes democratic rights, does not mean ousting Communist Party.
Civil Service Bureau clerk accuses officer Ian Chow, 50, of patting her buttocks and propositioning her multiple times in 2024.
Hong Kong judges say prosecutors’ evidence suggests Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung might have incited others to oust Communist Party leadership.
Sheep Wong, who said he wanted to repay gambling debts and help cover his father’s medical costs, sentenced to three years and nine months.
Ng Wai-fung jailed after ‘pursuing justice’ for a 16-year-old girl by demanding money from a suspect he thought prosecutors had wrongly freed.
