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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter related to last week’s devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

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

Local media said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

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

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