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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

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

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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