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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed 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. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.