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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental 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 truly believe is correct,” he stated.