# Hong Kong leader apologises and housing minister resigns after fire probe finds failures

https://mins.news/en/item/120536

- France 24, 2026-10-29 10:29 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20261029-hong-kong-leader-apologises-and-housing-minister-resigns-after-fire-investigation-exposes-failures

> Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee apologised Thursday over the November 2025 fire at a Tai Po residential tower that killed 168 people, injured 79 and displaced thousands. Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned Wednesday after an investigation found her department failed to supervise maintenance. A three-month conduct inquiry will follow, with proposals including criminalising bid rigging tied to the building’s $38 million renovation contract.

## Related coverage

- [Hong Kong leader apologises for residential fire that killed 168](https://mins.news/en/item/121284) — The Guardian, 2026-10-29
- [Hong Kong housing chief resigns over deadly Tai Po fire](https://mins.news/en/video/120885) — CNA, 2026-10-29
- [Hong Kong housing chief resigns after fire inquiry finds inadequate oversight](https://mins.news/en/item/120772) — The Associated Press, 2026-10-29