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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

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, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant 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 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach 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 Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested 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 responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests came after warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

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

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

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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