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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, 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 appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.