Area in the New Territories, Hong Kong
Independent hearings into the Wang Fuk Court fire have heard testimony about deactivated alarms, evacuated stairways blocked, and overwhelmed emergency lines as investigators probe safety and regulatory failures in the 168-death disaster.
In Hong Kong, police and ICAC have charged 25 counts in connection with the Wang Fuk Court blaze that killed 168 people last November. Investigators say the investigation is ongoing, with arrests totaling 35 so far. The two companies and several individuals face manslaughter and other counts linked to a major renovation project.