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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services 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 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.