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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental 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 stated.