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Officials in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

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

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts 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: “Now that 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.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control 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 protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.