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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation 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 arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.