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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll 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, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations 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 contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

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

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus 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 crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.