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Authorities in Hong Kong have taken into custody thirteen people on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens calling for responsibility.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About forty people are still missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The housing complex, housing almost five thousand people, had been in the midst of extensive renovations that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, public fury has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been voicing concerns over the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

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

Safety Failures Revealed

A senior official stated that 7 of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas difficult to access in order to avoid discovery, describing it as a “shameful act”.

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

Civilians Detained Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety violations mount, alongside reports that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no government figures have yet faced consequences. Instead, two civilians were allegedly taken into custody by security forces.

One individual, identified as a Hong Kong student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at to blame, including any negligent or culpable public servants.

Local media said the student was detained for “inciting disaffection”. Police did not verify the arrest, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the legal framework”.

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

Official Response on Detentions

Questioned about the arrests, the secretary of security said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten public security. “As a result, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the official told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be disclosed as they concern state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Made

On local online platforms, people condemned the detention of citizens. “State security must be given precedence even if the dead are still trapped in the structure,” said a comment.

Some commenters made parallels to mainland China. “There, such acts are termed ‘creating disturbances’,” said one commenter. “They are typically punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are following the mainland’s approach, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, nobody will venture to question, and thus the city's administration will have no issues.”

Increased Scrutiny and Volunteer Efforts

The arrests came after advisories by national security authorities that they would crack down on anyone considered to be using the incident to incite “anti-China” sentiment.

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the community response. Since the suppression of earlier protests, public assemblies have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters quickly organized aid operations, with many individuals employing cars and public transport to deliver mountains of garments, food and other essentials for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by evening, armed police were monitoring the vicinity, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

The petition over which the individual was allegedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” mirrored the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

The student informed reporters that he was only “putting forward very basic requests”.

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