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

Officials in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.