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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

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 structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.