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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand 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 alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

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

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.