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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll 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, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities 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 “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“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 sincerely think is correct,” he stated.