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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, 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 state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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