Hong Kong housing chief quits after 168 died in Tai Po fire
What's new: A judge-led report blamed broad regulatory failures, and the government will scrap the Housing Bureau's checking unit.
Hong Kong Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned after a November 2025 fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po killed 168 people, the deadliest blaze in the city since 1948. Chief Executive John Lee apologized publicly on Oct. 29 as his government released a judge-led report of more than 1,000 pages that found sweeping failures in oversight of building renovation work. Lee said the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit bore the most responsibility and will be dissolved. He also said the Buildings Department, Fire Services Department and Labour Department shared partial responsibility. Acting housing chief Michael Wong said a new public housing control unit will replace the ICU.