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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding accountability.

Search Continues 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 75 years. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is expected to rise further as the operation continues. About 40 people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained thirteen 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 involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

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

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons 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 building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the terminology of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.