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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after 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 forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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 contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant 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 expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, food 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 appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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