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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, 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 “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Calls 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 faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

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

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the building,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests 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 detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

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

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious 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 correct,” he said.