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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’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.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.