🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Detains Thirteen on Suspicion of Manslaughter Over Apartment Fires Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility. Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing. Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year. Arrests Include Corporate Executives On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen 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 involuntary manslaughter”. Safety Failures Revealed A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”. “They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated. Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces. A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants. Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”. News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative. Government Statement on Detentions Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.” Public Reaction and Parallels Made On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised 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 called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.” A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.” Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment. Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors. Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators. The appeal over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform. The individual informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”. “If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.