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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, 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 residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families 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 verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.