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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers 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 one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

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, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

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

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.