Hong Kong prosecutors have filed the first criminal charges in connection with the deadly blaze that ripped through a residential tower in the Kowloon district last month. The fire, which claimed 42 lives and injured dozens more, is the city's deadliest in decades. The charges, announced on Thursday, target three individuals: a building manager, a fire safety officer, and a contractor.
They are accused of criminal negligence and falsifying fire safety inspection records. The legal action marks a significant step in the investigation, which has exposed systemic failures in building safety regulations. The tragedy has sparked widespread public anger and renewed debate over Hong Kong's ageing infrastructure and enforcement lapses.
