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Authorities in the city have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant 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 people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response 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 buried in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.