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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

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 responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies 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 mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.