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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator 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 compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national 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 concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.