Kathmandu – Three months after the devastating fire in November 2025, the Hong Kong government has unveiled a rehabilitation plan. The fire, which took place in the Wong Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, affected seven buildings and displaced thousands of residents. The government has announced that it will offer around 1,700 flat owners in these buildings the option to either sell their ownership rights for cash or swap their flats for others.
The fire, which broke out on November 26, 2025, tragically claimed 168 lives and left thousands of residents displaced. Many of the affected residents are currently living in temporary housing, with the government providing rental assistance. The government estimates that the entire rehabilitation process will cost around HKD 6.8 billion (approximately NPR 789.2 billion). Of this amount, HKD 4 billion will be sourced from public funds, while the rest will come from relief funds.
The government plans to buy the ownership rights from the affected flat owners for cash. Those interested can purchase new flats according to government policy, while those who do not want a large sum of money will be given the option of a direct flat exchange. The process of contacting the affected owners will begin in March, and those choosing the exchange option will be able to select new residences starting in September.
According to Michael Wong, the Deputy Secretary for Finance, the damaged buildings are beyond repair and it is not cost-effective to restore them. The government has decided not to rebuild residential structures on the site, but instead, plans to create a park or community facilities in its place. Wong also emphasized that without government intervention, flat owners might not find buyers in the market, risking a total loss of their long-term investments.
A recent survey indicated that 74% of the affected owners are willing to sell their ownership rights to the government, while 9% expressed a desire for reconstruction at the same location. However, it is estimated that the reconstruction process could take up to 10 years.
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