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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens 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 less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

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