On Monday, Hong Kong officials announced that 13 individuals have been arrested in connection with the city’s deadliest fire in years, with suspicions of manslaughter being raised due to the use of substandard materials during renovations. This tragic incident has claimed at least 151 lives.
Rescue teams are still searching through what remains of the seven Wang Fu Court buildings that were devastated in the fire, discovering bodies of residents who were unable to escape the fire that engulfed their homes.
Over 40 individuals remain unaccounted for.
“Some bodies have turned to ash, and we might never locate all who are missing,” a visibly shaken police official, Tsang Shuquin, shared with the media.
Investigators have tested samples of the green mesh material used in the scaffolding and found that it failed to meet flame-retardant standards. Chief Secretary Eric Chan stated that the contractors utilized these inadequate materials in areas that were hard to inspect, making them easily overlooked.
Additionally, the foam insulation employed by the contractors exacerbated the fire’s spread, and it was reported that the fire alarms in the complex malfunctioned.
In response to this tragedy, thousands have gathered to honor the victims, which include at least nine domestic workers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. Mourners formed a line stretching over half a mile along a nearby canal.
Vigils are also set to occur in cities such as Tokyo, London, and Taipei this week.
The Chinese government has issued warnings against any protests deemed “anti-China” that may arise from the widespread public frustration regarding negligence related to fire safety.
Reports indicate that at least one person involved in a petition for an independent investigation into construction oversight was detained for a couple of days.
Hong Kong’s Security Secretary Chris Tan refrained from discussing specific law enforcement actions at a press briefing, stating, “We are aware that some individuals with harmful intentions are exploiting this tragic situation.” He emphasized the need for necessary measures to maintain order.
Search Focuses on Severely Damaged Buildings
Officials noted that the search operations are concentrated on the most heavily damaged structures, predicting it could take weeks to thoroughly search for any remaining victims.
Photographs released by the police show officers in protective gear navigating through rooms filled with charred remnants and water from firefighting efforts.
A significant police presence has been maintained at the site, with searches continuing as of Monday morning.
More than 4,000 individuals inhabited the complex, and those displaced are now faced with the challenge of starting anew. More than 1,100 have been relocated from emergency shelters to temporary accommodations, with an additional 680 placed in hostels and hotels.
As many residents left their possessions behind, authorities provided each family with an emergency fund of HK$10,000 (about 1,240,000 yen) and assistance with obtaining new identity documents.
Tragedy Marks Worst Fire Since 1948
According to the city’s Ministry of Labor, Wang Fu Court residents were assured by officials last year that the fire risk was “relatively low” following their concerns about renovation-related fire hazards.
In September 2024, residents had voiced apprehensions over the fire risks tied to the scaffolding’s mesh covering, a spokesperson for the ministry noted.
This fire is the most catastrophic incident of its kind since 1948, which saw 176 fatalities and has left the city in shock, coinciding with the upcoming parliamentary elections this weekend.
Reports indicate that Myles Kwan, aged 24, was arrested as part of a group advocating for an independent inquiry into potential corruption and construction oversight. Kwan was seen leaving the police station in a taxi on Monday afternoon.
Two additional arrests were reported later for purported sedition, although police have not commented on these developments.
China’s National Security Agency has cautioned against using this disaster to incite chaos similar to the 2019 protests, stating, “We will hold anyone accountable who attempts to disturb Hong Kong through disaster,” adding a warning to “anti-China” disruptors.
