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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting 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 Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local 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.

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

Local media also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.