🔗 Share this article

Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. 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 disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.