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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified 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 negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

Local media also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

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

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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