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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

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

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

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

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

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