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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, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

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

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.