Key facts
- Ministers defended not resigning over the Tai Po fire, citing focus on Hong Kong's well-being.
- Housing Minister Winnie Ho resigned, taking political accountability for the fire.
- Development Chief Bernadette Linn stated she would not resign, likening herself to a crew member following the captain's orders.
- An independent report faulted the Housing Bureau's ICU and the Buildings Department for supervisory failures.
- The fire, which killed 168 people, was linked to safety issues with renovation materials and inspections.
Hong Kong ministers have defended their decisions not to resign following the deadly Tai Po fire, emphasizing their commitment to the city's well-being. Housing Minister Winnie Ho Wing-yin resigned on October 29, 2026, taking political accountability for the blaze that killed 168 people. However, other officials, including Development Secretary Bernadette Linn, stated they would not step down, likening their position to that of a ship's crew following the captain's orders.
An independent report released on the same day as Ho's resignation detailed significant supervisory failures by government departments, including the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) and the Buildings Department. The report found that the ICU bore a larger share of responsibility for ignoring safety complaints regarding renovation materials. Survivors have criticized the government's response as insincere, questioning why only one minister had resigned.