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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

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 death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty 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 official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

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

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.