Two Fight For Lives After Day Of Violence

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department says a cleaner working for one of its subcontractors is in a critical condition after being hit in the head by a hard object thrown by "masked rioters" during his lunch break on Wednesday.

Meanwhile a 15-year-old boy underwent four hours of brain surgery at Tuen Mun Hospital overnight after being struck by what's thought to be a tear gas canister in Tin Shui Wai on Wednesday. He is now in intensive care and is also in a critical condition.

The Hospital Authority said a total of 64 people were admitted to hospital, of whom 34 were in stable condition and 23 had been discharged. One person was still being assessed.

The department did not give details of where the cleaner was working, but multiple media reports said a 70-year-old man was injured in Sheung Shui, where a group of anti-government protesters clashed with Beijing loyalists.

The FEHD said the man was in a critical condition. The government said it was in contact with the man via his family and had offered support.

"Masked rioters conducted extremely dangerous and violent acts in various districts three days in a row, where they wantonly assaulted other members of the public," a spokesman said. "The acts are outrageous.

"Police will resolutely take law enforcement actions to restore public order. The HKSAR Government appeals to members of the public to stay calm and rational as well as to stay away from violence to safeguard personal safety."

In addition to the injuries, a man was declared dead after apparently falling from height in Tsuen Wan later on Wednesday.

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