An independent committee tasked with investigating the cause and circumstances of the deadly Tai Po fire is scheduled to deliver its final report to the Hong Kong government this Thursday. The investigation, led by a judge, follows the city's deadliest residential fire in recent decades.

According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the committee is expected to largely support the findings presented in the closing submission of its lead counsel. The counsel’s submission was described as scathing, suggesting significant failures or negligence were identified during the inquiry.

Authorities have indicated that the version of the report made available to the public next week will be redacted. This measure is intended to protect the integrity of ongoing or future criminal proceedings related to the incident. While the full report will be submitted to government officials, the redactions mean that certain details regarding liability or specific evidence may be withheld from public view to avoid prejudicing the legal process. The committee’s findings are highly anticipated, as they are expected to provide a definitive account of the events that led to the tragedy and potentially influence future fire safety regulations in the region.