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Officials in the city have detained 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency 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”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access 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 Calls for Accountability

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

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief 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 police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

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

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories 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 detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, 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.