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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex 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 operation continues. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated 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 twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

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

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.