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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, 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 wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe 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 flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

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