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Officials in the city have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked 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 appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another 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.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

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

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

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