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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams 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 seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 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 reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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