Hong Kong Fire: 13 Households Missing as Smoking Ban for Sites Weighed

Thirteen households remain missing more than ten days after a major fire destroyed a Hong Kong public housing estate. The city's welfare chief has not ruled out the possibility that all are dead. The blaze tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po earlier this month. Authorities have been unable to contact residents from the 13 affected homes. In response to the disaster, the government is considering faster legal changes to improve safety. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said officials aim to ban smoking on construction sites within two months. The proposed changes would also introduce a fixed-penalty ticket system for anyone caught smoking at a construction site. The goal is to reduce fire risks where flammable materials are often present.