Hong Kong leader apologises and housing secretary resigns after an inquiry into the fire that killed 168 finds inadequate oversight

Leader John Lee and seven senior officials offered a public bow of apology at a press conference, where Lee said Ho bore political responsibility even though no personal wrongdoing had been attributed to him. The fire claimed 168 lives, uprooted thousands of residents, and left survivors waiting nearly a year before anyone was held to account.

The inquiry concluded that the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit had not properly supervised the renovation work at Wang Fuk Court.

Seven individuals and two companies are facing criminal charges — among them manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud — with prosecutors alleging the firms hid previous litigation records to secure the HK$300m renovation contract.

At Thursday's press conference, Lee set out a package of reforms and confirmed that the criminal investigation is proceeding entirely separately from the accountability inquiry.