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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

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

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus 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 considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.