Hong Kong fire: City demands fair probe, sedition law invoked
What's the story
Public outrage has erupted in Hong Kong after the city's deadliest residential fire killed at least 146 people. The tragedy struck Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po's New Territories. In the wake of the disaster, student activist Miles Kwan was reportedly detained under Hong Kong's national security law for allegedly inciting sedition.
Petition momentum
Activist's detention sparks controversy, online petition gains traction
According to the Times of India, Kwan, 24, was distributing flyers at a train station calling for an independent investigation into the fire when he was arrested. His online petition demanding accountability and proper resettlement for residents garnered over 10,000 signatures within a day. However, authorities accused "anti-China forces" of exploiting the tragedy to "incite social division and hatred against authorities."
Response criticism
Authorities' response to tragedy criticized, public mourning continues
Despite past instances of judge-led public inquiries, officials have only formed an inter-departmental task force for the investigation. Lawyer Imran Khan, who represented Grenfell Tower survivors in the UK, criticized this approach as insufficient for uncovering the truth, AFP reported. Meanwhile, mourners continue to leave flowers and notes at the site of the fire, with one note reading: "This is not just an accident, it is the evil fruit of an unjust system, which landed on you. It's not right."
Election backdrop
Upcoming elections amid public unrest and calls for accountability
The fire occurred just ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for December 7. The last elections in 2021 saw low voter turnout due to a "patriots-only" voting system imposed by Beijing, where the only candidates are reportedly pro-Beijing and pro-establishment. According to Reuters, the voter turnout was merely 30.2%. Despite the public unrest, campaigning will resume soon as planned.