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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.