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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

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 reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, 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 detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” 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 revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘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 individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, 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.