Hong Kong files manslaughter charges against seven people and two firms in deadly apartment fires
Massive blaze in eight high-rise apartment blocks killed 168 people in one of the world’s deadliest residential building fires
TL;DR
- 168 people died in a massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court public housing estate in Hong Kong.
- Manslaughter charges have been filed against seven individuals and their companies.
- Investigation found human errors caused the failure of fire safety measures, including deactivated fire alarms and missing fire-retardant nets.
- Defendants also face charges of fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.
- The fire was suspected to have been started by an ignited cigarette igniting combustible material.
- Thousands of residents were displaced and relocated to temporary housing.