🔗 Share this article

Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.