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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

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