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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.