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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent 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 towers 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 rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the individual 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 legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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