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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

Local media also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are considered 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 said.