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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities 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 materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested 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 law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State 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. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student told media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.