Hong Kong Arrests More Suspects in Fire Probe as Death Toll Reaches 151

Hong Kong Arrests More Suspects in Fire Probe as Death Toll Reaches 151

Hong Kong authorities confirmed on Monday that Hong Kong arrests more suspects in fire probe, taking the total number of detentions to 13 as the death toll from the city’s worst blaze in decades rose to 151. Police said those taken into custody are being investigated for suspected manslaughter, with early findings indicating that substandard renovation materials played a central role in fuelling the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate.

Rescue teams continued to comb through the seven charred towers left in ruins after the inferno tore through the estate last Wednesday. Officers reported recovering bodies from stairwells and rooftops, where residents became trapped in desperate attempts to escape the flames. More than 40 people remain unaccounted for, and authorities warned that some may never be located due to the scale of destruction.

Police official Tsang Shuk-yin, who struggled to hold back tears during a press briefing, said several bodies had been reduced to ash, complicating identification efforts. Preliminary tests conducted on samples of the green mesh used to wrap bamboo scaffolding around the buildings showed the material failed to meet fire-retardant standards, officials revealed. Investigators believe contractors used these substandard materials in concealed areas, placing them beyond the reach of standard safety inspections.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan stated that foam insulation used in the renovation also accelerated the blaze, while fire alarms inside the estate were not functioning properly at the time of the incident. The findings have intensified scrutiny of Hong Kong’s construction oversight, with residents accusing authorities of ignoring repeated warnings.

The disaster has prompted a massive outpouring of grief, with thousands lining up along a canal beside the complex to pay tribute to victims, including at least nine domestic helpers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. Candlelight vigils are also scheduled this week in London, Tokyo and Taipei, reflecting the global shock over the tragedy.

Amid rising public anger and questions over whether ignored fire-risk warnings contributed to the scale of the devastation, Beijing issued a stern warning against those attempting to use the incident to incite unrest. At least one individual involved in a petition calling for an independent investigation and a review of construction standards was reportedly detained for two days. Police have declined to comment on the case, while Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang said that individuals with “malicious intent” were attempting to exploit the tragedy to harm national security, vowing appropriate enforcement action.

Authorities have shifted their search efforts to the most severely damaged buildings, acknowledging that the process could take weeks. Images released by police showed officers in hazmat suits navigating waterlogged corridors filled with ash and debris, stepping into rooms where walls had collapsed and furniture had been completely incinerated.

The estate, home to more than 4,000 people, has been left devastated. More than 1,100 survivors have already been moved from evacuation centres into temporary housing, while 680 others are staying in youth hostels and hotels. Emergency assistance of HK$10,000 has been offered to affected households, along with fast-track documentation services for lost identity cards, passports and marriage certificates.

Authorities revealed that residents had previously flagged fire hazards linked to ongoing renovations but were told last year that the estate faced “relatively low fire risks.” Complaints filed in September 2024 specifically warned about the flammability of the green mesh used on scaffolding, raising serious questions about why corrective measures were not taken.

The blaze is now officially the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when 176 people were killed in a warehouse fire. As the city prepares for legislative elections later this week, the tragedy has amplified concerns over safety standards and accountability in public housing. On Saturday, police detained 24-year-old activist Miles Kwan, who helped organise a petition demanding an independent inquiry into potential corruption and regulatory failures. Two others have also reportedly been arrested for alleged seditious intent, though police have not commented.

China’s national security office issued its strongest statement yet on Saturday, warning against attempts to “disrupt Hong Kong through disaster” and promising that those responsible for incitement would face strict punishment.

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