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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, 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 towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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