Hong Kong confirms final death toll of 168 in Tai Po housing estate fire

Hong Kong authorities have confirmed that 168 people died in a devastating fire at a public housing complex in Tai Po District in November 2025, making it the world’s deadliest residential building blaze since 1980.

The updated figure was announced on 15 January 2026 by Security Secretary Chris Tang, who said identification work had been completed and the toll was final, seven higher than previously reported.

Authorities had earlier stated that 161 victims had been identified following the disaster.

According to Tang, all remains recovered from the site have now been accounted for, with no missing persons linked to the incident.

“All remains and bodies from the incident have been identified,” Tang told reporters. He said no individuals remained unaccounted for after extensive forensic and investigative work.

The names of the deceased will not be released at this stage to respect the wishes of grieving families, Tang said. Police confirmed in a separate statement that all families have been formally notified.

According to official figures, the deceased include 110 women and 58 men, ranging in age from six months to 98 years, highlighting the wide impact of the disaster across generations.

Among those who died were a firefighter, two interior decorators, five construction workers and 10 migrant domestic workers, reflecting the diverse community living and working in the estate.

The 37-year-old firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, reportedly was scheduled to marry his long-time girlfriend in Dec 2025. The tragedy has left the city grieving, as loved ones recall his bravery, devotion, and the love story that ended too soon.

The fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex and rapidly spread through seven of its eight residential towers. The buildings were undergoing renovation at the time of the blaze.

Authorities have said the towers were wrapped in substandard netting, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire across multiple blocks, intensifying the scale of the tragedy.

The government has established a judge-led independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blaze, including construction practices, safety oversight and emergency response.

Police are conducting a parallel investigation into the causes of the deaths. Tang said a detailed report would be submitted to the coroner once the probe is completed.

“If the coroner decides to launch an inquest, then we will disclose information relating to the victims in the proceeding,” Tang said, adding that transparency would follow legal procedures.

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee said on 14 January that police have arrested 16 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the incident, along with six others on suspicion of fraud.

Separately, the city’s anti-graft watchdog has arrested 14 individuals on suspicion of corrupt practices linked to the case, Lee said, indicating potential systemic failures beyond the fire itself.

“At this stage, we want to respect the wishes of the victims’ families, so we will not publish a list of all the victims,” Lee said, noting that this approach aligns with past practice.

Beyond accountability, authorities said the tragedy has prompted a renewed focus on fire safety education and enforcement across residential buildings in the city.

Tang said officials are looking to strengthen education for property management companies and residents, acknowledging that authorities cannot be permanently stationed at buildings for inspections.

“We are planning to raise residents’ awareness and educate them on basic fire prevention measures, so that they can inspect their own buildings,” he said.

He added that residents should report hazards immediately to management companies and relevant personnel, and may also contact the Fire Services Department to enable more efficient enforcement.

The administration is also considering introducing fixed penalties for fire safety violations, including blocking fire escape routes and locking smoke-stop doors, Tang said.

Officials said such measures are aimed at preventing a recurrence of a disaster that has deeply shaken the city and raised questions about construction standards, oversight and emergency preparedness.