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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. Approximately 40 people are still 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 origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

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

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

Official Response on Arrests

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned 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 mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.