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Authorities in the city have detained 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed 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.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained 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 former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.