Firms charged with manslaughter over deadly Hong Kong fire

The Wang Fuk Court blaze last year was the deadliest that Hong Kong had seen in 70 years, killing 168 people. Wang Fuk Court: Hong Kong authorities charge firms and individuals with manslaughter over deadly fire Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. The blaze at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex was the deadliest the city had seen in more than 70 years A man holds on both hands, shouting in agitation, as long columns of smoke billow out from the residential blocks in the background. Some units continue to burn even as firefighting has started Firms charged with manslaughter over deadly Hong Kong fire Hong Kong authorities have charged two companies and seven people over the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk housing complex last November. They were handed 25 charges including manslaughter, conspiracy to defraud, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and tax evasion. The blaze, which killed 168 people, was the deadliest fire the city had seen in more than 70 years. , was the deadliest fire the city had seen in more than 70 years. Authorities said they had charged the project consultancy firm and the main contractor, as well as individuals involved in the renovation including the directors of both companies and the registered inspector at the consultancy. They have not named the companies and individuals charged. Last year, shortly after the fire happened, Hong Kong's anti-graft watchdog had arrested two directors of the development's structural engineering consultancy Will Power Architects. By March this year, police said they had arrested 38 people on allegations of manslaughter and fraud. The anti-graft watchdog had also separately arrested 23 people, including consultants, contractors and members of the owners' corporation of the complex. Previous reports had named Prestige Construction and Engineering Company as the registered contractor for the renovations. A woman reacts outside the Kwong Fuk Community Hall where relatives identify family members from photos 'This was preventable': Anger and unanswered questions after Hong Kong fire Close up of William Li. He has straight black hair, circular glasses and is wearing a sweater. As he speaks he looks upset. 'My heart breaks every time I'm called a hero' - Hong Kong fire survivor An estate agent is looking for tech-savvy students to help find buyers in China and Hong Kong. The 43-year-old police officer and mother of three serves as the team's payload scientist. Londoner Isabel Rose awaits sentencing inside Hong Kong's oldest maximum security women's prison. Ma Ning, known for his stern style, has sparked viral memes and attracted major brand sponsorships. The BBC travels with rebels to frontline positions in Myanmar to see how the war is unfolding. The BBC’s Quentin Sommerville travels to Myanmar - without the permission of the authorities - to meet a group of rebel fighters. The crew of a sanctioned oil tanker were rescued off Oman after it was struck by a missile fired from a US fighter jet. Indonesia police allege the man killed the woman as he felt disrespected by her.