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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the search continues. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

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

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to bring in large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious 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 said.