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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act 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 Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.