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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting 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 netting had been put 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 human lives,” he said.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, residents have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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