Buildings Department instigates prosecutions in relation to repair works associated with Wang Fuk Court fire incident in Tai Po
The Buildings Department (BD) today (September 9) laid charges with a total of 259 offences against four persons and two companies in connection with the major building repair works at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, where a fire broke out on November 26 last year. The charges include allegedly permitting or authorizing to be used in the carrying out of building works materials which are defective or do not comply with the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance (BO), permitting or authorizing the carrying out of building works and the inspection or works have been carried out in a manner that causes injury to any person or damage to any property, failing to properly supervise repair works and the like.
"Following the fire at Wang Fuk Court, the BD and the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Housing Bureau have been sparing no effort in conducting investigation into the major repair works at the estate. The findings revealed that the registered inspector employed by the works consultancy firm had failed to properly supervise the prescribed repair works and failed to ensure that the building was safe or had been rendered safe. Moreover, during the course of the works, the main contractor and the works consultancy firm allegedly permitted or authorized the use of non-fire-retardant scaffold nets and canvases, and non-fire-retardant foam boards to block windows, as well as the removal of windows at the escape staircases to create openings for access, which were covered with non-fire-retardant materials. These caused the fire to spread rapidly and obstructed the means of escape, ultimately resulting in 168 deaths and 79 injuries," a spokesman for the BD said.
The two companies charged are the works consultancy firm, Will Power Architects Company Limited (Will Power), and the main contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, Limited (Prestige), involved in Wang Fuk Court's major building repair works. The four individuals charged include the director of Will Power, Wong Hap-yin, and the registered inspector employed by the company, Ng Yeuk; and the two directors of Prestige, Hau Wa-kin and Ho Kin-yip.
Wang Fuk Court is a Home Ownership Scheme estate and is regulated by the ICU of the Housing Bureau with the authority delegated under the BO. Based on the findings of the irregularities by the ICU and after seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice, the BD has charged a total of 259 offences against the two companies and the four persons under sections 40(2A)(a)(i), 40(2B), 40(2AE) and 40(2AF) of the BO.
The BD once again reminded contractors and relevant building works practitioners to properly supervise inspections and building works in accordance with the BO and its subsidiary regulations and the relevant Codes of Practice to ensure suitable materials are used and that the works are carried out safely.
"Following the fire at Wang Fuk Court, the BD has stepped up regulation, inspection, and enforcement. Specific measures include issuing Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85 to require recognised test reports with results that meet the fire retardant performance standards prior to installation of scaffold nets, conducting audit checks; issuing circular letters to all registered contractors and registered professionals reiterating the need for full compliance with fire safety requirements, including installing fire-retardant scaffold nets that meet recognised standards, ensuring that windows are not covered and combustible materials must not be installed. The BD has also launched a special operation to inspect scaffold nets and fire safety measures at about 400 buildings undergoing large scale repair works across the territory. The BD has also put in place a measure of conducting surprise inspections of all sites of major building repair works at least once every six months. Furthermore, the Development Bureau plans to submit a bill to the Legislative Council by the end of this year to amend the BO, which will include strengthening the regulation of and increasing penalties in relation to major building repair works, as well as tightening the registration and disciplinary regimes for building professionals and contractors." the spokesman said.
The BD removed Prestige from the register of general building contractors in February 2026 in accordance with the BO, after being notified by Prestige early this year that the company had ceased to be a registered general building contractor. The removal does not absolve the company and the relevant parties of criminal liability under the BO and other legal liabilities. Moreover, regardless of whether the registered building professionals concerned are convicted, the BD will refer the case to the relevant disciplinary boards for consideration of disciplinary sanction.
In accordance with section 40(2A)(a)(i) of the BO, any person directly concerned with minor works who permits or authorizes to be incorporated in or used in the carrying out of works any materials which are defective or do not comply with the provisions of the BO commits an offence. In accordance with section 40(2B), any person who carries out or authorizes or permits minor works to be carried out, in such a manner that it causes injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for up to 18 months.
In accordance with section 40(2AE), any registered inspector who fails to provide proper supervision of the carrying out of the prescribed repair that is minor works commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $150,000. In accordance with section 40(2AF), any registered inspector or registered general building contractor who fails to ensure that the building, for which they are appointed to supervise or carry out the prescribed repair that is minor works, is safe, or has been rendered safe commits an offence, and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for up to 18 months.
Source: AI-found images
"Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session held successfully as HK and Macao young people experience remarkable achievements of the country's manned space development (with photos/video)
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Macao SAR Government, and the China Manned Space Agency successfully organised the "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9), enabling young people from Hong Kong and Macao to engage in interactive dialogues with space experts and the Shenzhou-23 crew currently carrying out a manned space mission on the Chinese Space Station. Mission commander, Dr Zhu Yangzhu, astronaut Zhang Zhiyuan and Hong Kong's first payload expert Dr Lai Ka-ying, served as "space teachers" to deliver expert lectures to students, conduct real-time science experiments, and engage in interactive "dialogue between space and Earth".
Held at Dr Lai's alma mater, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College, "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session featured in-orbit demonstrations, expert lectures and a question-and-answer session with students. Over 200 participants attended, including primary and secondary school teachers and pupils from Hong Kong and Macao, tertiary students, researchers and technology professionals, as well as representatives from youth organisations. The session lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes, during which Dr Lai introduced the operational process of the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO). Developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the MUSICO undertakes the important task of monitoring global greenhouse gases, contributing to national aerospace programmes and global sustainable development.
The astronauts introduced the facilities of the Tiangong Space Station to the students, including the core module instruments and experimental facilities, the space vegetable garden, the space kitchen and space food, and shared their daily lives and scientific research work on the space station. The astronauts also gave live demonstrations of fascinating science experiments, such as the impossible wringing-wet towel and the water sphere table tennis experiment in a microgravity environment in space. During the "dialogue between space and Earth", student and youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao seized this rare opportunity to pose questions to the astronauts, engaging in space-earth interactive dialogues.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed his gratitude to the China Manned Space Agency for its support, as well as to the various organisations and departments for their joint efforts, which have enabled students from Hong Kong and Macao to learn from the astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station and experience the lofty aspirations and formidable capabilities of the country's aerospace development.
He said that, over the more than 30 years of the development of China's manned space programme, every step has embodied the Chinese nation's indomitable spirit of self-improvement and courage in exploration. When the delegation from China's manned space programme visited Hong Kong in 2023, it sowed three important seeds for the city: a seed to foster national pride, a seed to explore science and technology, and a seed to encourage the pursuit of dreams. As Hong Kong's aerospace research and development has progressed from ground-based support to in-orbit operations in space, enabling Hong Kong people to explore the cosmos, it demonstrates that these seeds have not only taken root and sprouted, but are also thriving.
As the Hong Kong SAR Government is currently organising science popularisation and awareness-raising activities under the theme "A Shared Cosmic Vision for National Rejuvenation", Mr Lee encouraged all sectors of the society, particularly young people, to actively participate. He also expressed the hope that the younger generation would take astronauts as role models, equip themselves diligently, boldly pursue their dreams, and, through wisdom and hard work, serving the nation in building a strong aerospace country, thereby writing a brilliant chapter for the Chinese nation.
Under the themed publicity campaign of "A Shared Cosmic Vision for National Rejuvenation", the HKSAR Government will continue to roll out a variety of popular science education and publicity events to ignite young people's passion for aerospace technology and their spirit of exploration. Information on activities are available on the dedicated webpage (www.itib.gov.hk/en/payloadexpert), and members of the public are welcome to participate actively. Content on the website will be updated from time to time and members of the public could be kept posted on latest updates of the Shenzhou-23 mission.
Guests attending today's "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session included the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Dr Kong Chi-meng. Local aerospace experts participating in the lectures included Professor Wu Bo of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Su Hui of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Professor Yao Zhonghua of the University of Hong Kong.
"Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session held successfully as HK and Macao young people experience remarkable achievements of the country's manned space development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session held successfully as HK and Macao young people experience remarkable achievements of the country's manned space development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session held successfully as HK and Macao young people experience remarkable achievements of the country's manned space development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session held successfully as HK and Macao young people experience remarkable achievements of the country's manned space development (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
