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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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