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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.