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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

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

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

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.