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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

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

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

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 fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

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