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Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.