Hong Kong protests: tear gas fired for second night in row in Mong Kok as radicals block roads and ‘assault passers-by’
- The force said ‘three innocent passers-by’ were assaulted as protesters blocked roads, forcing police to intervene
- Protesters also threw ‘hard objects’ at officers and refused to leave the area, police said
Hong Kong police fired tear gas in Mong Kok for the second night in a row, after a number of skirmishes between officers and anti-government protesters.
Rounds of tear gas were fired at about 12.45am on Monday on Portland Street in the popular entertainment and shopping hub after police said they came under attack.
“A large group of rioters gathering in Portland Street, Mong Kok behaved in a disorderly manner and disturbed public peace,” a police statement said.
“Despite repeated warnings by police, the rioters refused to leave, and after midnight, threw hard objects at police officers at the junction of Shantung Street and Portland Street.
“In the face of the situation, police officers have deployed tear gas to effect the dispersal of rioters, who are warned to stop all unlawful acts immediately.”
The stand-off continued into the early hours on Monday.
Earlier in the evening, tensions flared as protesters blocked roads, prompting riot police to arrive on the scene. Officers raised a black flag warning of the use of tear gas.