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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity 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 hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.