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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen 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 samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“If these ideas 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 said.