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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, 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 “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named 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 negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.