Hong Kong Housing Minister Resigns Amid Controversy Over Fatal Fire and Government Accountability

10/29/2026

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.

10/29/2026

During the investigation, an independent committee found that the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit failed in its duties supervising the maintenance work

10/29/2026

John Lee, the city’s chief executive, said his housing secretary would step down, but he vehemently defended the government.

10/29/2026

Hong Kong leader John Lee apologises for Tai Po fire and pledges building industry reforms after report on deadly blaze.

10/29/2026

Bowing in apology before reporters, John Lee pledged to make reforms advocated in a scathing report on the residential blaze that killed 168 people last year.

10/29/2026

HONG KONG, Oct 29 - An independent Hong Kong committee blamed a renovation contractor and consultant as well as four government departments for a deadly blaze that killed 168 people in the city...