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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.