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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

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

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions 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 correct,” he stated.