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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of 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 construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained 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 responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” 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 punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told reporters that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.