Dozens hurt in Hong Kong train station attacks
COMMUTERS and pro-democracy protesters were attacked by suspected gang members wielding steel pipes and wooden poles inside a train station as China doubled down on its condemnation of protests in Hong Kong.
At least 45 people were injured when the attackers, some masked, stormed the station in Yuen Long as thousands returned from a day of demonstrations against Beijing’s influence in the city.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo claimed it was “more than apparent” that the attackers were linked to triad gangs, as victims accused the police of being slow to respond. Video showed protesters in black being beaten by men in white shirts, before being followed onto trains as they tried to flee gangs waiting at the turnstiles at about 10.30pm yesterday. Some 22 people remained in hospital today, including one man in a critical condition, the Hospital Authority said.
It is the latest burst of violence after months of protests over an extradition bill proposed by Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam. Ms Mo said the attack at the station “doesn’t seem accidental”, adding: “It’s all organised.” Another 14 people were injured as police used tear gas to clear protesters in central Hong Kong. Police claimed on their official social media accounts that demonstrators threw bricks and petrol bombs and attacked police headquarters.
China’s foreign ministry accused “radical” protesters of violating Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” formula by which Beijing administers the territory. Protesters last night pelted China’s liaison office in the city with eggs, and the national emblem on the building was covered in black ink.
Ex-Hong Kong security secretary Regina Ip said it was an “affront to the sovereignty of our country”. Ms Lam condemned the targeting of the liaison office, and said authorities will investigate the “shocking” station attack.