Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.
Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.
The housing complex, 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, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.
On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.
A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.
“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” he said.
As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.
One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.
Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.
Local media also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.
Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”
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 one.
Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”
A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”
The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.
Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.
However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.
The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.
The student told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.
“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.
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