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Authorities in the city have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

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