Water Cannons Could Be Fatal In HK: Claudia Mo

Hong Kong First lawmaker Claudia Mo warned on Wednesday that the use of powerful water cannons in a city like Hong Kong could lead to serious and even fatal injuries.

Two such vehicles are expected to be delivered to the city's police by the end of this month while another arrived last month. The three vehicles, meant for crowd control, cost HK$27 million in total.

Mo had asked the government to reveal the guidelines regarding the use of the vehicles. But Security Secretary John Lee said the information should be kept secret so it doesn't affect any future police operations.

Mo said she was disappointed with the government’s response. She said the public have a right to know the limits of police powers, especially when deploying these water cannons could potentially lead to fatal injuries.

"It is very dangerous for Hong Kong," she said. "Our urban design is rather full of roadside railings."

She said a water cannon may push a person only a few feet away and normally it shouldn't hurt. But if that person is thrown against a roadside railing, it could be fatal, Mo said.