Hong Kong Prosecutors Charge Seven Individuals and Two Firms Over 2023 Apartment Fire that Killed 168

A months‑long probe into Hong Kong’s 2023 apartment fire has concluded. Prosecutors filed 25 criminal counts against seven individuals and two firms. The charges range from manslaughter to conspiracy to conceal evidence. The blaze, which erupted in a high‑rise block, claimed 168 lives. Authorities say the defendants were responsible for safety lapses and illegal alterations. This is the first set of indictments issued since the tragedy. Legal experts expect the cases to proceed to trial later this year. The outcomes will test Hong Kong’s enforcement of building‑safety regulations.