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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen individuals on suspected charges of manslaughter in connection with last week’s devastating fire, amid increasing public outcry over the arrests of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Fatalities Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, days after the most fatal blaze in 75 years. The death toll reached 151 and is anticipated to climb further as the search goes on. About 40 people are currently unaccounted for.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the aftermath, anger has grown over alleged previous safety breaches by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, fuelled by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said anti-corruption authorities had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated a thorough probe along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of twenty tested samples of the scaffolding net used around the buildings did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “deplorable deed”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Demands for Answers

As accusations of safety violations grow, alongside reports that official bodies had issued several seemingly unenforced warnings, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two members of the public were allegedly arrested by national security police.

A person, identified as a local student, was arrested over an internet appeal that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Local media said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in compliance with the legal framework”.

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

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “As a result, we must take necessary steps, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a press conference. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said one.

Several users made parallels to mainland China. “The mainland, these crimes are called ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

Another said: “Since we are aligning with mainland China’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, no one will dare to ask, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be exploiting the tragedy to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the arrests, authorities had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the immediate aftermath, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with many individuals employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were patrolling the vicinity, and public authorities eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated on Friday evening. Its “four points” mirrored the terminology of previous campaigns but did not call for systemic reform.

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

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he stated.