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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

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