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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

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

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

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