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Authorities in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

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

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

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.