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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody 13 people on suspected charges of manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amid growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise further as the search goes on. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing nearly 5,000 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 grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of safety codes, fuelled by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

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

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

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

Reports said the student was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

News outlets also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Public Reaction and Comparisons Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the person 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 detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Following the suppression of earlier unrest, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers quickly organized aid operations, with hundreds of people using cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

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

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

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