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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search 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 seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, 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 guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

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

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.