Hong Kong officials have reported that the death toll from the high-rise apartment fire has climbed to 146, putting Chinese authorities on high alert over a potential resurgence of anti-China protests in the city.
On November 29, Hong Kong’s Office for Safeguarding National Security issued a stern statement aimed at anti-China factions. The statement alleged that certain groups were exploiting the tragedy and public grief to further their political agenda, potentially pushing Hong Kong back into the chaos of 2019.
The 2019 protests in Hong Kong were sparked by the controversial Extradition Bill, leading to months of widespread anti-China demonstrations. In the aftermath, Beijing implemented the Hong Kong National Security Law and established the Office for Safeguarding National Security the following year.
A spokesperson for the office stated, “Hong Kong government agencies are actively investigating and preventing subversive activities that exploit this disaster to create chaos.” They expressed confidence that citizens would not be mislead by efforts to fuel social division.
Despite these warnings, signs of anti-China sentiment are already emerging.
Chinese state-run Global Times, citing the pro-Beijing Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po, reported that individuals believed to hold anti-China views were spotted operating tents and wearing black masks at fire relief sites.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Hong Kong authorities have arrested one man on suspicion of incitement related to the fire.
On November 30, both Xinhua News Agency and SCMP said Hong Kong police announced during a 5 p.m. briefing that the death toll from the Wong Fuk Court apartment complex fire in Tai Po had risen from 128 to 146.
A police official warned that more bodies are likely to be found.
The fire broke out on November 26 at the Wong Fuk Court, a 32-story residential complex comprising eight buildings with approximately 2,000 apartments. Seven of the eight buildings were affected, with dry conditions and strong winds hampering firefighting efforts for over 43 hours.
