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Authorities in the city have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. Approximately forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor 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 Company Directors

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

“Their sole aim was to profit at the expense of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

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

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with 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.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to stir up “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, officials had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are deemed seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.