HONG KONG — 1967 · Unsolved Case

The Assassination of Radio Commentator Lam Bun

UnsolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

Lam Bun was a popular Commercial Radio commentator who sharply criticised the rioters during the leftist riots that shook Hong Kong in 1967. On the morning of 24 August 1967, as he drove to work from his home in Kowloon, men disguised as road maintenance workers stopped his car at the end of his street, blocked its doors and set Lam and his cousin alight with petrol. Lam died in hospital shortly afterwards; his cousin died several days later. A leftist group reportedly claimed responsibility, but no one was ever arrested or tried. Allegations about who ordered the killing were never proven. It remains one of Hong Kong's best-known unsolved murders and still features in debates over how the events of 1967 are remembered.

Date
1967
Place
Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HK
Category
Unsolved Case
Case Status
Unsolved
Coordinates
22.3200, 114.1800 ↗

Timeline of Events

  1. May 1967Leftist riots began in Hong Kong; Lam criticised the rioters on air.
  2. 24 August 1967Lam and his cousin were set alight in their car on the way to work.
  1. August 1967Lam Bun died in hospital; his cousin died several days later.
  2. Following yearsNo one was arrested; the case remained unsolved.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.

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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.