🔗 Share this article Hong Kong Detains Thirteen on Suspicion of Involuntary Manslaughter Over Apartment Blaze Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility. Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About 40 people are currently missing. Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months. Those Detained Include Corporate Executives On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster 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 top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”. “They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated. Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by national security police. A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials. Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”. Local media also covered the detention of a former district councillor. Government Statement on Arrests Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.” Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment. Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually 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 asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.” Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings. Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims. Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators. The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change. The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”. “Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.