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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support 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”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned 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. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

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

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

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

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