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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.