Hong Kong leader John Lee Apologises For Deadly Fire

Hong Kong leader John Lee apologised on Thursday for a deadly fire that killed 168 people, and the city's housing minister resigned after a report found the government partially responsible for the disaster. 

The November 26 fire at Wang Fuk Court was the world's deadliest residential building blaze since 1980 and engulfed several residential tower blocks. 

Public pressure for government accountability has grown since then,



with calls for Lee and top officials to resign.

Lee and seven other top city officials bowed and apologised at a news conference on the report concluding a months-long inquiry into the fire. 

"I am deeply saddened. I would like to apologise to the affected residents and the general public," Lee said. The city's housing minister, Winnie Ho, who resigned from her post, should "bear political responsibility", Lee added.