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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach 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,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.