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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

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

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. 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 many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

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

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, 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 said.