🔗 Share this article

Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities 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 manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing 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 evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.