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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

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

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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