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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services 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 city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.