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Officials in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amidst growing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services 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 reached one hundred and fifty-one and is expected to rise higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost 5,000 people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been voicing concerns over 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 comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the buildings did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, noncompliant material had been installed in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the expense of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by national security police.

One individual, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for guaranteed support for the affected families and accountability for those at to blame, including any corrupt or culpable public servants.

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

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the secretary of security said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were intended to undermine national security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a press conference. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Drawn

On local online platforms, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “It’s usually met with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

Another said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to stir up “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Since 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 employing vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

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

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The individual told media that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“Should these suggestions are deemed subversive or ‘crossing the line’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.