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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 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”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked 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 necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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