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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

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

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.