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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, 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,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed 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 truly believe is right,” he stated.