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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants 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 tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.