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

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over reported previous safety breaches by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, officials said anti-corruption authorities had detained thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of human lives,” he said.

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two members of the public were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the victims and accountability for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

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

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

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

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed advisories by national security authorities that they would take action against anyone deemed to be using the tragedy to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” mirrored the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The individual told media that he was only “proposing very basic requests”.

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘crossing the line’, then I feel I cannot foresee the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.