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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter related to the recent devastating fire, amid increasing criticism over the detentions of civilians calling for accountability.

Search Continues as Death Toll Rises

Rescue teams persisted in combing through the seven towers of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on Monday, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The number of fatalities rose to 151 and is anticipated to climb higher as the search goes on. About 40 people are still missing.

Renovations Linked to Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to nearly five thousand people, had been in the midst of major refurbishment that have been associated with the fire’s cause. In the wake of the tragedy, anger has escalated over reported past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and poor oversight of standards, spurred on by disclosures that residents had been complaining about the work for a year.

Those Detained Include Corporate Executives

On the afternoon of Monday, authorities said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the disaster so far, including the directors and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “immediately begun comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Substandard Materials Revealed

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

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

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Answers

As allegations of safety lapses mount, alongside revelations that official bodies had issued multiple apparently ignored cautions, residents have asked why no officials have yet been held accountable. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, identified as a Hong Kong student, was detained over an internet appeal that made “four demands” for assured assistance for the affected families and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or culpable government officials.

Reports said the individual 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 law”.

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

Government Statement on Arrests

Questioned about the detentions, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements online” that were aimed to undermine national security. “Therefore, we must take necessary steps, including police action,” the official told a media briefing. “Operational details cannot be revealed as they concern national security.”

Social Media Response and Comparisons Made

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the victims are still trapped in the building,” said a comment.

Several users drew comparisons to mainland China. “There, these crimes are termed ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said a user. “It’s usually punished with heavy sentences. Social order trumps everything.”

A different user said: “Now that we are aligning with mainland China’s methods, by targeting the individual who raises the question, no one will venture to question, and therefore Hong Kong’s governance will have no issues.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions came after warnings by security officials that they would crack down on anyone deemed to be using the incident to incite “hostile” sentiment.

Before the detentions, authorities had already begun showing heightened sensitivity to the community response. Following the quelling of earlier protests, public assemblies have been tightly controlled. In the immediate aftermath, community volunteers rapidly established relief efforts, with hundreds of people employing cars and transit to bring in mountains of clothes, supplies and other essentials for the victims.

However, by nightfall, armed police were monitoring the area, and government officials eventually took over from the volunteer organisers.

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

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

“Should these suggestions are considered subversive or ‘transgressive’, then I believe I can’t predict the consequences of anything any more, and I can only do what I sincerely think is correct,” he said.