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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material 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 expense of human lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

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

News outlets also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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