🔗 Share this article

Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.