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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the operation goes on. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities 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 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. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides 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 issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other necessities for the victims.

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

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

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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