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

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly 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 affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

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

Local media also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.