🔗 Share this article

Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“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 mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, 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.