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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for accountability.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the operation continues. About forty people are still missing.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the site and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

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

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Preliminary checks had found materials were up to code, but the official said the less expensive, substandard material had been installed in areas difficult to access in order to evade detection, labeling it a “shameful act”.

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

Citizens Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety lapses mount, alongside reports that official bodies had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no government figures have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two members of the public were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the legal framework”.

Local media also covered the arrest of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said a user. “They are typically met with severe penalties. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and thus Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the detentions, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by evening, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

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

The individual informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic demands”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, 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.