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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator 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 official said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

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

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

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

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

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