🔗 Share this article

Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, 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 further as the search continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling 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 cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

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

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