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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials 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 “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny 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 stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.