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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor 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 twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

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

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

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