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Officials in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials 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 comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

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 compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious 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.