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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.