Hong Kong Arrests 13 on Suspected Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter Over Apartment Blaze

Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers 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 number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.