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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, 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 the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

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

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.