Hong Kong authorities Detains Thirteen on Suspected Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter Over Apartment Blaze

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

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

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement 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 reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.