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Officials in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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 actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, 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 local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

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