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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex 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 operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, 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, identified 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 to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts 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 mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

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

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