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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator 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 materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, 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 make money at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable 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 compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.