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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, 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 responsible public servants.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national 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 Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

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