🔗 Share this article

Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

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

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

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

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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