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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. Approximately forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson 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 cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’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 Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are considered seditious 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 sincerely think is correct,” he said.