Shops, Police And MTR Targeted As Protests Continue

Anti-government protests continued across Hong Kong on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, with mainland-owned shops, police stations and the transport network targeted again.

In Hong Kong island's main shopping district, Causeway Bay, a China Mobile shop was gutted by what appeared to be an intense fire - a photograph showed the flames rising up onto the first storey. It was put out shortly afterwards by firefighters.

Protesters also beat up a man wearing a white T-shirt, who they suspected of being a policeman and left him with a bloodied face. They also threw bricks across Yee Wo Street, a major thoroughfare, especially for buses.

In Kowloon, there were running battles between protesters and police in Mong Kok. Police fired multiple rounds of tear gas and protesters blocked roads and attacked urban infrastructure, like switch boxes.

There was also trouble around Nathan Road and Prince Edward Road West, near Mong Kok police station.

In Tai Po, a truck was set on fire near the police station there. Tin Shui Wai police station was also targeted with protesters hurling firebombs at the building.

In Sheung Shui, an empty MTR train was firebombed and objects were thrown onto the track. A number of East Rail stations were attacked.

Protesters broke into the Festival Walk shopping mall in Kowloon Tong and set fire to the huge Christmas tree there. The mall had closed on Tuesday afternoon for safety reasons.

Some shops and facilities were vandalised and large metal railing, surrounding one of the higher floors, fell to the ground after its supporting glass walls were smashed.

There were also confrontations in Tseung Kwan O.

The Hospital Authority says that, as of early Wednesday morning, 51 people have sought treatment and one person is in a serious condition.