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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens 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, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.