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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found materials were compliant, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to make money at the cost of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, food and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.