On Saturday, Hong Kong's national security police made a significant arrest related to the public's criticism of authorities following a devastating apartment fire that resulted in at least 159 fatalities. This arrest marks the first publicly acknowledged instance connected to the outcry surrounding the fire, which broke out on November 26, 2025, at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories.
The arrested individual has been accused of posting content on social media deemed to have "seditious intention." Steve Li, the chief superintendent of the police's National Security Department, explained that the posted materials incited hatred against both the Hong Kong government and the central government of China. Li highlighted that the man accused the local and central authorities of exploiting the tragedy for their own ends, a claim the police deemed "totally impossible."
While local media reported additional arrests, these have not been confirmed by the authorities. The fire has ignited a passionate debate about government accountability, with officials expressing concerns about potential attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the Hong Kong government and authorities in Beijing. Hong Kong operates under a distinct legal system from mainland China, having been returned to Chinese control from British rule in the late 1990s.
The police further elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the man's arrest, stating that he had been called to a police station on December 2 to assist with a national security investigation. However, the following day, he allegedly shared sensitive information on social media, disregarding warnings against such actions. Authorities suspect the 71-year-old man was attempting to inform others involved in the investigation about the police's inquiries.
The cause of the deadly fire remains unknown as an independent committee has been established to conduct a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, there are ongoing inquiries into potential corruption and negligence concerning a major renovation project at the housing complex prior to the fire. Thus far, at least 21 individuals have been arrested as part of this broader investigation. Investigators identified substandard green netting enveloping the buildings and foam boards installed on windows as key factors contributing to the rapid spread of the fire across seven of the eight residential towers within the complex. Furthermore, malfunctioning fire alarms were also discovered among the safety failures.
In a related incident, the organizer of a petition advocating for government accountability over the fire incident was arrested by national security police for suspected sedition, as reported by local media including HK01 and Sing Tao Daily. Although Steve Li did not confirm or deny other arrests, he remarked that authorities had observed significant amounts of false information circulating about the fire, which they believe aimed to provoke animosity against the Hong Kong government and Beijing.
Li alleged that some individuals were seeking to incite conflict by distributing pamphlets and displaying slogans near the fire's location, drawing parallels to the mass anti-government protests in Hong Kong in 2019. The earlier protests prompted a significant crackdown by authorities, effectively stifling political dissent within the city. In the ensuing climate, there are no opposition candidates participating in the upcoming legislative election, underscoring the extent to which dissent has been suppressed.
Chief Executive John Lee of Hong Kong emphasized the government's intention to take strict action against anyone attempting to exploit the tragedy for destabilizing purposes. He stated, "For anybody who tries to sabotage the commitment of society, I will do all I can to ensure justice is done."
