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Officials in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

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

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.