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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze 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 Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant 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 human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was reportedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.