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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations 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 aftermath, 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 complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary 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. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

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