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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation continues. About 40 people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, 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 wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the building,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the person who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other necessities for the survivors.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly detained was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for political change.

The student told reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.