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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with the recent devastating fire, amid growing criticism over the detentions of civilians demanding accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, days after the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Renovations Linked to Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, authorities said anti-corruption authorities had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Accountability

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were allegedly arrested by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual 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 law”.

News outlets also reported the arrest of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, 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 police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be prioritised even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who asks questions, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions followed advisories by security officials that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already demonstrated heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to bring in large quantities of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was launched on Friday evening. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past protest movements but did not call for systemic reform.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental demands”.

“If these ideas are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he said.