Wang Fuk Court buyout wins near-unanimous support, paving way for recovery
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
Nearly all households at Wang Fuk Court have accepted the government's HK$7.8 billion (US$994.8 million) buyout offer, with 1,967 of 1,984 owners agreeing by the August 31 deadline. The overwhelming 99.1 percent acceptance rate marks another milestone in Hong Kong's recovery from last November's devastating blaze that claimed 168 lives and displaced thousands of residents. An independent inquiry into the fire is expected to table its report next month, an important step toward establishing accountability and ensuring lessons are learned.
Key Points
- Of Wang Fuk Court's 1,984 owners, 1,967 accepted the HK$7.8 billion buyout by the August 31 deadline, leaving only 17 outstanding cases
- The 99.1 percent acceptance rate represents a broad endorsement of the government's approach to helping survivors rebuild their lives elsewhere
- The fire occurred last November at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, killing 168 people in the city's worst high-rise building blaze
- An independent inquiry into the blaze is expected to release its findings next month
- Residents can use the buyout funds to purchase new homes, opt for subsidised housing arrangements, or pursue other plans
Why It Matters
The near-unanimous acceptance clears the path for survivors to move forward while the inquiry's imminent report will provide accountability and recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy in Hong Kong's high-rise residential buildings .
The near-unanimous acceptance clears the path for survivors to move forward while the inquiry's imminent report will provide accountability and recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy in Hong Kong's high-rise residential buildings .