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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“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.