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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, 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 negligent or culpable government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

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