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

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions 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 said.