🔗 Share this article

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.