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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy 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”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

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

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore 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 incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. 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 fundamental demands”.

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