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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures 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 arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

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

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