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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens 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 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 higher as the search continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

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 materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, 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 to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.