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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to 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 escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, 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 Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, 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.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.