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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to 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 site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was arrested 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 legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten 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 criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.