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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

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