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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.