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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers 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 further as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“Their sole aim was to make money at the expense of human lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal 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 student was detained for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

Local media also covered the detention 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 intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people criticised the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The arrests came after advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the tragedy to incite “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other essentials for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

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

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