Hong Kong Arrests 13 on Suspected Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter Over Residential Fires

Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost five thousand 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, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

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

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

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

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched 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 “proposing fundamental demands”.

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