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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

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

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.