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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate 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 rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury 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 occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

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

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public 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 involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

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