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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in Tai Po on Monday, days after 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 higher as the operation goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has grown over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun a thorough probe along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A top administrator stated that 7 of 20 tested specimens of the scaffolding net used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found materials were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple apparently unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and accountability for those at fault, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was detained for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the law”.

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

Official Response on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including police action,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern state security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the arrests, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials soon assumed control from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly detained was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not advocate systemic reform.

The student informed media that he was only “proposing very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is right,” he said.