🔗 Share this article

Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

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

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive 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 sincerely think is right,” he stated.