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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.