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Authorities in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand 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 past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several 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.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.