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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

Local media also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.