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

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

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 site and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.