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Officials in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to last week’s catastrophic blaze, amid growing criticism over the arrests of civilians calling for responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court residential area in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years. The number of fatalities reached 151 and is expected to rise higher as the operation goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Fire’s Cause

The estate, housing almost five thousand people, had been undergoing extensive renovations that have been linked to the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has grown over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of safety codes, fuelled by revelations that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a twelve months.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On Monday afternoon, officials 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 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 materials were up to code, but the official said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Demands for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly ignored cautions, the public have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly arrested by national security police.

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

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Law enforcement did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in compliance with the law”.

News outlets also covered the detention of a former district councillor.

Government Statement on Arrests

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “inaccurate comments on the internet” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

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 mainland China. “The mainland, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Stability overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the person who asks questions, nobody will venture to question, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Increased Scrutiny and Community Response

The arrests followed advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to stir up “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials 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, volunteer supporters quickly organized relief efforts, with hundreds of people using vehicles and public transport to deliver large quantities of garments, food and other necessities for the victims.

However, by nightfall, officers were monitoring the area, and public authorities eventually assumed control from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the student was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of previous campaigns but did not call for political change.

The student informed reporters that he was only “proposing fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I can’t predict the outcomes of anything any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he stated.