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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested 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 victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed 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 right,” he stated.