🔗 Share this article

Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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