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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing criticism over the arrests of civilians demanding accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams 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 city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise higher as the search continues. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement 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 the afternoon of Monday, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, noncompliant netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two members of the public were reportedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible government officials.

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Some commenters drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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 detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate systemic reform.

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

“Should these suggestions are deemed seditious 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 stated.