Tear Gas, Vandalism As Tuen Mun Residents Protest

Riot police fired tear gas at a group who set fire to a restaurant and vandalised a bank branch in Tuen Mun on Monday night, in a protest that was initially sparked by claims the police were testing tear gas at a nearby base.

The force earlier denied reports that tear gas or any other substance was being tested at the Tai Hing Operational Base after several people in the area reported a strange smell earlier in the day. Some residents said they felt unwell.

Dozens of people occupied a section of Leung Wan Street at about 9.30pm and chanted slogans at a contingent of riot police who turned up in response with shields and weapons.

Some protesters attacked a nearby restaurant, throwing a petrol bomb inside and setting it on fire. A nearby Bank of China branch was also vandalised. Police responded with tear gas at about 10.20pm.

In a social media post, police urged people to leave the scene immediately and condemned all violent acts.

Some MTR light rail services in the area were diverted.

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