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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency 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”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 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 cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual 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 legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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