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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding 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 the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

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