Hong Kong authorities Detains Thirteen on Suspicion of Manslaughter Over Apartment Fires

Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition 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 student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons 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 trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

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

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

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.