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Officials in Hong Kong have detained thirteen individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with last week’s catastrophic blaze, amidst growing public outcry over the arrests of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Fatalities Climbs

Emergency services continued to search through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, days after the most fatal blaze in seven and a half decades. The death toll reached one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb higher as the search continues. About forty people are currently unaccounted for.

Construction Work Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly 5,000 people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the origin of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the construction company working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by disclosures that occupants had been complaining about the renovations for a year.

Arrests Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had arrested thirteen people over the disaster so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a contracting firm, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Uncovered

A top administrator stated that seven of twenty tested specimens of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet flame-resistance requirements. Preliminary checks had found samples were up to code, but the spokesperson said the cheaper, substandard netting had been put in areas hard to reach in order to evade detection, labeling it a “deplorable deed”.

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

Citizens Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued several apparently ignored cautions, the public have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly arrested by national security police.

One individual, named as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at to blame, including any corrupt or responsible public servants.

Reports said the individual was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not confirm the detention, saying only that they “will act according to the situation and in accordance with the law”.

Local media also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Official Response on Detentions

Asked about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to threaten national security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be disclosed as they involve national security.”

Social Media Response and Parallels Drawn

On local online platforms, people condemned the arrests of civilians. “State security must be prioritised even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said one.

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

Another said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by dealing with the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Volunteer Efforts

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

Before the detentions, officials had already begun showing increased vigilance to the public reaction. Since the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been strictly regulated. In the days following the fire, volunteer supporters rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of clothes, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

However, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the community coordinators.

The appeal over which the individual was allegedly detained was launched on Friday evening. Its “four points” echoed the language of previous protest movements but did not advocate political change.

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

“Should these suggestions are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the outcomes of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is correct,” he said.