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Authorities in the city have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public 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 local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.