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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.