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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.