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

Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism 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 residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports 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 accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official 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 arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“If these ideas are considered 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 sincerely think is correct,” he stated.