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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger 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 residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, 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 arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

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

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

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