CE: immediate inspections of all housing estates undergoing major repair works

Chief Executive John Lee says the government has activated a full cross-departmental response following the deadly five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. He said the government has ordered immediate inspections of all housing estates across Hong Kong that are currently undergoing major repair works — including checks on scaffolding safety and the building materials used.

Lee chaired an interdepartmental meeting this morning, directing all bureaux and departments to continue efforts to extinguish the fire, rescue trapped residents, and support the injured.

He said social workers have been deployed to assist affected families — and financial relief will be arranged as soon as possible.

Lee thanked firefighters, police, medical staff and frontline personnel for working through the night. He called the death of a firefighter in the line of duty a “tremendous loss”, and pledged full support for the family and injured colleagues.

He added that Hong Kong is facing “a moment of collective grief”, and urged the community to stay united, saying the Government will do everything possible to help affected residents rebuild their lives.