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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 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 reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been put 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 official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.