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Officials in the city have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. 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 Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody 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 responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.