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Officials in the city have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

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 technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support 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”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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