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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong 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 corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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