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Updated 5 December 2025 - Hong Kong authorities have intensified scrutiny of public dissent following last week's deadly blaze, arresting a university student who launched a petition seeking accountability for the disaster.
Student detained over petition demanding answers
Miles Kwan, a Hong Kong university student, was arrested by national security police on sedition charges after circulating an online petition calling for transparency about the Tai Po fire. The blaze, which tore through a crowded housing complex in the city's north, claimed at least 159 lives and left thousands homeless. Kwan, now released on bail, had framed his petition around four demands-echoing the 2019 protest slogan "five demands, not one less"-which garnered over 10,000 signatures within hours before being removed from platforms.
Government defends crackdown amid public outcry
Pro-Beijing officials have justified the arrests as necessary to prevent the tragedy from being "exploited" to undermine national security. Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee vowed to pursue anyone attempting to "sabotage" relief efforts, while lawmaker Regina Ip told the BBC authorities were "extra careful" to avoid a repeat of the 2019 unrest. Another Executive Council member, Ronny Tong, dismissed claims of suppression, calling the government's response "prudent."
Police confirmed to the BBC they would act "in accordance with the law and actual circumstances," without elaborating on the basis for Kwan's detention. Public reaction has been sharply divided, with critics calling the arrest "baffling" given that many of the petition's demands-including an independent investigation and financial aid for victims-were later adopted by the government.
"It's baffling how Miles was arrested for asking basic questions on behalf of residents-questions the government went on to address anyway."
Samuel Chu, pro-democracy activist
Beijing's influence looms over disaster response
China's national security office in Hong Kong swiftly warned against "black terror"-a term previously used to describe the 2019 protests-threatening action against "hostile foreign forces." Meanwhile, authorities have replaced grassroots relief efforts with state-backed initiatives, a move politics professor Kenneth Chan attributed to Beijing's "playbook" of prioritizing social control.
Former district councillor Kenneth Cheung, also arrested by national security police for resharing fire-related content, said the crackdown ignored widespread public grief. "The Tai Po fire concerns everyone in Hong Kong," he said. "Not everything is about politics." Cheung, now out on bail with his passport confiscated, added that many citizens simply want accountability for the disaster.
Investigations and backlash expand
Fifteen individuals, including construction firm bosses and fire equipment contractors, have been arrested on manslaughter charges. Authorities also ordered the removal of non-compliant mesh netting from buildings after investigators found the material at the Tai Po complex failed flame-retardant standards. Separately, a woman was detained for allegedly running a fraudulent fundraising campaign exploiting the crisis.
Public frustration has extended to the timing of Sunday's Legislative Council election, which critics argue should have been postponed during the city's mourning period. While pro-Beijing "patriots" are the only candidates permitted to run, some lawmakers requested an emergency debate on the fire-only to be rebuffed by the government, which insisted its focus remain on the investigation.
Lee pledges reforms but no resignations
Chief Executive John Lee announced an independent committee to probe the fire, a review of building safety regulations, and temporary housing for victims. However, he sidestepped questions about his own accountability during a press conference, instead vowing to punish anyone disrupting relief efforts. No government officials have resigned or been charged in connection with the blaze.
Lee acknowledged systemic failures but framed the disaster as a catalyst for reform. "Yes, it is a tragedy," he told reporters. "That is exactly why we must act seriously to plug these loopholes and ensure such things will not happen again."
Social media erupts with criticism
Online, Hong Kongers have condemned the arrests as heavy-handed. "Demanding the truth is considered incitement?" read one widely shared comment. Others accused authorities of prioritizing political control over public safety, pointing to the displacement of community-led aid groups by government-backed alternatives.
