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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of civilians demanding responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation goes on. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material 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 Calls for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

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

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Stability trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

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

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

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

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