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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed 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,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

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 “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

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

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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