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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed 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 prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.