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Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” 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 detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief 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. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

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