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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the buildings 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 hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in compliance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “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, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “proposing fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas 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 sincerely think is right,” he said.