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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities 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 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster 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”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances 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 arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.