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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported 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 on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.