🔗 Share this article

Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers 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 seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put 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 people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

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

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.