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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests 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 estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, 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.