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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing 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 number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.