HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year celebrations descended
into chaos as protesters and police, who fired warning shots into the air,
clashed in a street market selling fish balls and other local holiday
delicacies, leaving dozens injured and arrested.
The violence is the worst in Hong Kong since pro-democracy protests rocked the city in 2014, leaving a
growing trust gap between the public and authorities.
Activists angered over authorities’ attempts to crack down
on the food hawkers in a crowded Kowloon neighborhood held running battles with
police into Tuesday’s early morning hours.
Protesters pelted officers with bottles and pieces of trash.
Some threw garbage cans, plastic safety barriers and wood from shipping
pallets. They also set fires on the street.
Hong
Kong Riots: Police Fire Warning Shots in Clash With Protesters
Lunar New Year celebrations turned into chaos as police
clashed with illegal street food vendors
Riot police stand behind a damaged taxi after the clashes
with protesters in Mong Kok, a popular and densely populated shopping and
entertainment district. BOBBY YIP/REUTERS
A man is escorted by riot police in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok
district Tuesday. Riot police used batons and pepper spray to quell fights ...
Riot police stand guard as rioters set fires and throw
bricks. Protesters and police clashed over a street market selling fish balls
and other local holiday delicacies. VINCENT YU/ASSOCIATED PRESS
A protester shouts as he is arrested by plainclothes
policemen. The police said 23 men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of
assaulting and obstructing officers, resisting arrest and public disorder.LIAU
CHUNG-REN/REUTERS
Riot police move toward protesters on a street in Mong Kok.
Hong Kong police said the protesters ignored their warnings to leave the street
and also shoved officers. KIN CHEUNG/ASSOCIATED PRESS
A police officer walks past fire set by rioters in Mong Kok.
Protesters pelted officers with bottles and pieces of trash. VINCENT
YU/ASSOCIATED PRESS
More than 40 police officers and journalists have been
injured after a riot with protesters during the Lunar New Year holiday. LAM
YIK FEI/GETTY IMAGES
A policeman points his pistol during the clashes. Police
said two warnings shots were fired. REUTERS/E WEEKLY/FU CHUN-WAI
A protester is injured in the worst violence in Hong Kong
since pro-democracy protests rocked the city in 2014. LAM YIK FEI/GETTY
IMAGES
A police man is seen pointing his gun into the air in this
still image taken from video. CABLE TV VIA REUTERS
A protester kicks a policeman who has fallen down during the
clashes.REUTERS/E WEEKLY/FU CHUN-WAI
Riot police stand behind a damaged taxi after the clashes
with protesters in Mong Kok, a popular and densely populated shopping and
entertainment district. BOBBY YIP/REUTERS
A man is escorted by riot police in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok
district Tuesday. Riot police used batons and pepper spray to quell fights
after authorities tried to move illegal street vendors. It is not known whether
the injured man is a protester. BOBBY YIP/REUTERS
Later Tuesday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung
Chun-ying said a mob attacked police officers and journalists. He added
that the perpetrators would be prosecuted. More than 80 officers and four
reporters were hurt, he said.
Police cars and public property were damaged, fires were
started and bricks and other objects were thrown at police officers—including
those already injured and lying on the ground—Mr. Leung said.
“I believe the public can see for themselves from TV news
reports the seriousness of the situation. The [Hong Kong] government strongly
condemns such violent acts. The police will apprehend the mobs and bring them
to justice,” Mr. Leung said.
ENLARGE
A policeman pointed his handgun during clashes in Hong
Kong’s busy Mong Kok district on Tuesday. PHOTO: REUTERS/E
WEEKLY/FU CHUN-WAI
Officials said they were investigating whether the violence
had been organized in advance.
At one point, a protester tried to tackle a traffic police
officer from behind before both sides rushed into the melee in the middle of a
busy street, according to footage shown on local news channel Cable TV. Moments
later, another officer appeared to fire one or two warning shots into the air.
In a statement, Hong Kong police said the protesters ignored
their warnings to leave the street and also shoved officers, who responded with
batons and pepper spray.
Acting District Commander Yau Siu-kei said 23 men and one
woman were arrested on suspicion of assaulting and obstructing officers,
resisting arrest and public disorder. The arrested were as young as 17 and as
old as 70. Police said 48 officers were hurt by glass and flying objects and
confirmed that two warnings shots were fired.
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