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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks 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, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

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

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

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

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.