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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po 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 anticipated to climb further as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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