🔗 Share this article

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams 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, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.