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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

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

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