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.