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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities 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, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was arrested 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 law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.