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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.