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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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 technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local 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 corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm 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 former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” 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 approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, 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 stated.