36 h. ago Hong Kong firefighters describe rescue efforts during Tai Po estate blaze

Firefighters have described the gruelling conditions they faced in their search for survivors of Hong Kong’s worst fire in more than seven decades, with rescuers climbing dozens of flights of stairs as they conserved oxygen to look for anyone alive on the higher floors. For some firefighters, the operation has left them with feelings of guilt and helplessness after they only found bodies. One said encountering the scattered corpses had given him nightmares that left him unable to sleep normally...

Events

36 h. ago Nightmares for days: Hong Kong firefighters open up about Tai Po blaze

Firefighters have described the gruelling conditions they faced in their search for survivors of Hong Kong’s worst fire in more than seven decades, with rescuers climbing dozens of flights of stairs as they conserved oxygen to look for anyone alive on the higher floors. For some firefighters, the operation has left them with feelings of guilt and helplessness after they only found bodies. One said encountering the scattered corpses had given him nightmares that left him unable to sleep normally...

Events

36 h. ago ‘Darkest corner’: firefighters haunted by Hong Kong blaze but vow to keep serving

Firefighters have described the gruelling conditions they faced in their search for survivors of Hong Kong’s worst fire in more than seven decades, with rescuers climbing dozens of flights of stairs as they conserved oxygen to look for anyone alive on the higher floors. For some firefighters, the operation has left them with feelings of guilt and helplessness after they only found bodies. One said encountering the scattered corpses had given him nightmares that left him unable to sleep normally...

Events

43 h. ago HashKey’s IPO seeks US$300 million under shadow of Beijing’s regulatory scrutiny

The initial public offering (IPO) of HashKey Holdings, operator of Hong Kong’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, lays bare challenges faced by local platforms under Beijing’s watchful eye, even though the listing itself was recognition of the growing influence of digital assets in the city, according to analysts. HashKey, established in Hong Kong in 2018, on Monday cleared its Hong Kong listing hearing after a confidential filing earlier this year, paving the way for an IPO that could raise up to...

Economics

3 d. ago Hong Kong insurers face profit pressure in aftermath of deadly Tai Po fire

The devastating fire in Tai Po is likely to hurt profitability at Hong Kong’s property insurers and could prompt them to review pricing strategies that have led to lower premiums amid fierce competition, according to S&P Global Ratings. “Claim losses from last week’s fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po will further erode the sector’s underwriting margins,” said Emily Yi Chang Yoon, credit analyst at S&P, in a report. The city’s property and casualty insurance companies already faced thinner...

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong man facing murder charge after wife found with knife wounds, burns

A man has been arrested after allegedly attacking and killing his wife with a knife and trying to set fire to their home in northwestern Hong Kong. Police said they received a report of a flat fire and a person injured at 6.59am on Tuesday from security guards at On Ting Estate in Tuen Mun. First responders arrived at the flat in Ting Fuk House and put out a fire that covered about 11 sq ft, said Chief Inspector Patty Chong Yuen‑na of Tuen Mun police. The woman, a convenience shop worker, had...

Events

7 d. ago Anxious wait for relatives of people still missing in deadly Hong Kong fire

Families of residents still missing after a blaze engulfed an estate complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday face an agonising wait for news of their loved ones as the government needs more time to identify many of the bodies. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Friday that among the 89 unidentified bodies so far recovered from the charred buildings of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, about half would soon be identified as they were found inside their flats. But authorities needed additional...

Events

8 d. ago Hong Kong insurers liable for payouts of US$334 million related to Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s insurance sector is expected to face record claims of HK$2.6 billion (US$334 million) related to the deadly fire in Tai Po, the worst in seven decades that claimed 55 lives and seriously damaged seven buildings, according to industry insiders. The fire would lead to a surge in insurance payments for personal and property coverage in the coming year, they said. The Insurance Authority on Thursday set up a special task force led by senior executives to ensure all insurance companies...

Economics

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s BN(O) holders face tougher English test, possible income threshold

Hongkongers hoping to settle in the United Kingdom under a bespoke visa pathway will face a tougher English test and potentially an income threshold as part of an overhaul of the country’s immigration system, British authorities have told the Post. The confirmation came as BN(O) visa holders, who were relieved about the unchanged five-year settlement qualifying period revealed by the UK government on Thursday, plunged into anxiety hours later after reading the fine print of the consultation...

Politics

3 w. ago Tensions flare over Kowloon transport issues at Hong Kong Legco election forum

Two incumbent Hong Kong lawmakers faced scrutiny from a newcomer over their commitment to addressing urgent public transport issues in east Kowloon, sparking a minor dispute at the fifth government-hosted Legislative Council election forum. Five candidates vying for two seats in the Kowloon East constituency also presented their policy initiatives, focusing on cultural and creative industry development and transforming the area into a new central business district (CBD) at the forum on Thursday...

Politics

3 w. ago Newcomer raises Kowloon transport issues at Hong Kong Legco election forum

Two incumbent Hong Kong lawmakers faced scrutiny from a newcomer over their commitment to addressing urgent public transport issues in east Kowloon, sparking a minor dispute at the fifth government-hosted Legislative Council election forum. Five candidates vying for two seats in the Kowloon East constituency presented their policy initiatives at the forum on Thursday morning, focusing on cultural and creative industry development and how to transform the area into a new central business district...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong’s MTR faces renewed backlash over station sign changes

Hong Kong’s rail giant is facing renewed backlash over signage renaming after the firm hastily restored the names of two long‑established public housing estates at an exit sign at Ho Man Tin station. Public anger first erupted over the name change at Ho Man Tin station’s exit A sign, which previously read “Oi Man Estate/Ho Man Tin Estate” before the MTR Corporation updated it to “Onmantin”, the name of the estate jointly developed by the railway operator and Great Eagle. Shortly after the MTR...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong’s MTR Corp faces renewed backlash over station sign changes

Hong Kong’s rail giant is facing a renewed backlash over signage renaming after the firm hastily restored the names of two long-established public housing estates at an exit sign at Ho Man Tin station. Public anger first erupted over the name change at Ho Man Tin station’s exit A sign, which previously read “Oi Man Estate/Ho Man Tin Estate” before the MTR Corporation updated it to “Onmantin”, the name of the project jointly developed by the railway operator and Great Eagle. Shortly after the MTR...

Politics