🔗 Share this article

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

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

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user 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 Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.