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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials 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, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

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

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

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

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 public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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