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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

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

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

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

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