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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.