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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong 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 negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

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