Hong Kong Detains Thirteen on Suspected Charges of Manslaughter Over Apartment Fires

Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, 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. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly 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 accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by security officials 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. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly 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 fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.