Hong Kong authorities Detains Thirteen on Suspicion of Involuntary Manslaughter Over Residential Blaze

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

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

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response 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. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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