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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives 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 samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.