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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a local 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 corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

The individual told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

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