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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

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

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, 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 Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

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

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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