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Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

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

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

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

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

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

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

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

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.