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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction 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 buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.