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Officials in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified 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 fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police 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 detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.