HK clashes intensify with petrol bombs, fires

Bloomberg

Hong Kong police used a water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters who set a train station entrance on fire and hurled petrol bombs as they tried to march on the government offices in the city center.
Demonstrators marched without permission on Sunday after an approved rally the day before. Chief Executive Carrie Lam took responsibility for the “entire unrest” that has rocked the city since June in a bid to calm tensions. Even largely peaceful gatherings have descended into chaos in recent weeks as smaller groups of hard-core protesters battled with police.
MTR Corp, operator of the city’s rail network, said Wan Chai, Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Tin Hau stations were closed because of public activities. Train services in Tsuen Wan, Island and South Island lines have also been adjusted, it said.
An entrance to Wan Chai train station was ablaze and fires were started in other areas as the main march was dispersed by police who fired repeated rounds of rubber bullets and tear gas. Emergency workers were treating a number of injured people in the streets, with at least one lying unconscious.
Police used a water cannon to spray a blue-dyed liquid at protesters and made numerous arrests, as activists set up barricades across Gloucester Road, a major traffic artery through
the city.
Protesters pushed ahead with their march as police blocked roads and fired repeated rounds of tear gas. The Wan Chai train station, closed because of the demonstrations, was vandalised by a small group.
Fire alarms rang out and explosions could be heard after activists set objects alight and smashed glass panes.
Riot police fired multiple rounds of tear gas at demonstrators in Causeway Bay after standoffs and clashes, as a helicopter hovered overhead. .
At least two people were arrested.
The weekend’s protests come as China prepares to celebrate 70 years of Communist Party rule on October 1.
Hundreds of demonstrators waved China flags and shouted pro-Beijing slogans as they rallied on the waterfront in the shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui.
Across the harbour on Hong Kong island, some businesses and malls shut and others said they would close early in anticipation of a march planned for later in the day.