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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by national security police.

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

Reports said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.