Police Fire Tear Gas Near Kornhill Estate

Police on Thursday night fired tear gas in the mainly middle class area of Kornhill in eastern Hong Kong Island, after riot police detained a person - believed to be a youngster.

About 20 riot police officers appeared at Tai Koo MTR, following an online call for a protest in the area. They were soon surrounded by about 200 people, who insulted them.

There were chaotic scenes after the person was detained, triggering an angry response from the crowd.

"I don't know why many police stand in Tai Koo Station," a man who gave his name as Leo said. "Lots of people surrounding them and blame them."

"And when they leave they arrest a young boy because the young boy only blame them, so they arrest him. I don't think it is a good idea," Leo said,

Leo said he had witnessed the arrest.

The officers pulled out and went into the street. Some in the crowd then followed them along Kornhill Road, calling for the person to be released.

A man was seen hitting an officer with a stick. The officer responded with pepper spray. And, in a bizarre incident, a woman dressed in a kimono approached a line of riot police. One of the officers pushed her to the ground.

Other protesters damaged a CCTV camera at one of the Tai Koo MTR exits.

Then, as more people began to gather on King's Road, barricades went up.

Police fired tear gas and reopened the road. Officers followed the crowd to the Kornhill Garden residential estate, where there was a stand-off which lasted for almost two hours with police eventually firing more tear gas to disperse them.

Many in the crowd retreated inside the residential blocks. Footage showed several taxis driving through clouds of tear gas.

Police pulled out and returned to Tai Koo station, which the MTR closed at about 11.30 pm.