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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers 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 one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are currently missing.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to 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 location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had arrested 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the less expensive, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” he said.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a local student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any corrupt or culpable government officials.

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

Local media also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Official Response on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the building,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions came after advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone considered to be exploiting the incident to stir up “hostile” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and government officials soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The student told media that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

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