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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area 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 reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to 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 lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant 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 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

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

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

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

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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