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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

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

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

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

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental 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 truly believe is correct,” he said.