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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting 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, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.