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Authorities in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly 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 assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

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