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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The death toll rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the operation goes on. Approximately 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The housing complex, housing nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the construction company working at the site and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A top administrator stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found materials were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

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

Local media said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

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

Social Media Response and Parallels Made

On Hong Kong social media, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the victims are still buried in the structure,” said one.

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

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Prior to the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier unrest, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing vehicles and public transport to bring in mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the vicinity, and public authorities soon assumed control from the community coordinators.

The petition over which the student was reportedly detained was launched late on Friday. Its “four points” echoed the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

The individual informed media that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.