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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

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

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, 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 former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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