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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster 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”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports 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 reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.