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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local 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 negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.