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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise further as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to almost 5,000 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 alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents 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 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible 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 compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten 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 state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport 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 soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of past protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

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