🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Detains Thirteen on Suspicion of Involuntary Manslaughter Over Apartment Fires Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility. Search Continues as Fatalities Rises Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for. Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year. Arrests Include Corporate Executives On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”. Substandard Materials Revealed A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”. “They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” he said. Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police. One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants. Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”. Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative. Official Response on Detentions Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.” Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn 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 structure,” said a comment. Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.” A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.” Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings. Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims. However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators. The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform. The individual told media that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”. “Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.