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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed 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 human lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

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

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are deemed seditious 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 said.