🔗 Share this article

Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested 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 responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.