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Authorities in the city have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor 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 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.