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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

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

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

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

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore 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 using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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