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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.