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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search continues. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost 5,000 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, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression 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 deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.