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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police 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 ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.