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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 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 reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

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

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.