Hong Kong’s leader apologises for residential fire that killed 168 people

Blaze last year was deadliest housing fire globally since 1980 and some ex-residents and victims’ families say they still need justice

Hong Kong’s leader has apologised for government shortcomings that contributed to a fire that killed 168 people in the city last year, a rare sign of public contrition that nevertheless failed to impress some victims’ families.

The chief executive, John Lee, and seven other officials bowed in apology at the release of a report that pointed to “decades of failure” by government bodies.

Four departments “should bear part of the responsibility” for the high casualties, the report said. So far one official, housing secretary Winnie Ho, has resigned.