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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations 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 most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations 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 standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

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