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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities 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 “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator 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 materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. 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 online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

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

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.