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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, 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 further as the search continues. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several seemingly ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation 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 trapped 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. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after warnings by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.