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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to almost 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve state security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers quickly organized relief efforts, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

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

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

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he stated.