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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services 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, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary 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 flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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