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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Detentions

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

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” 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 methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.