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Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.