Hong Kong overnight riot injures at least 48 police officers
HONG KONG: As many as 48 police personnel were injured and at least 24 rioters were arrested when some 300 rioters clashed with Hong Kong police after a clearance operation on illegal hawkers from late Monday to Tuesday morning.
The riot erupted after a handful illegal street vendors refused to halt business in Mong Kok, a busy commercial district, and clashed with law enforcement officials.
Rioters then arrived and confronted with the police reinforcement.
After one and a half hour of confrontation, the rioters attacked the police with bricks, stones and other makeshift weapons.
The police were forced to fire two warning shots in a bid to rescue personnel.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying condemned the rioters’ violent behaviors Tuesday morning and expressed his support to the police for their efforts in restoring peace.
