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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. Approximately 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

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