Overview
- Officials confirmed 159 deaths after searches of seven scorched towers at Wang Fuk Court, where flames burned for roughly 40 hours.
- The government ordered scaffolding mesh removed from about 200 buildings by Saturday after tests found seven of 20 samples failed safety standards.
- Police have arrested 15 construction-linked figures on suspicion of manslaughter and six fire-service contractor staff on suspicion of fraud, with an ICAC probe also underway.
- Chief Executive John Lee announced a judge-led independent committee to examine causes and potential bid-rigging and procurement failures, with findings to be made public.
- Authorities deployed national security and sedition laws against petitioners and critics, swept volunteer donation hubs, and urged residents to vote in Sunday’s LegCo election as analysts warn turnout could be low.