Metro services half-paralyzed in HK as rioters go on rampage

The flyover linking Sheung Shui station, New Territories in Hong Kong, was bustling with people on Monday morning just like every workday. However, those passengers, rather than heading for work or school, were escaping from violence.

Everyone looked scared and nervous.

"Come on. We can't get on the train. Somebody threw petrol bombs into it," a middle-aged woman told her companion.

The entrance of the station was shut, so did a couple of shops nearby. The escalator of the flyover was also suspended. Looking through the rolling gate into the station, a stream of water was flowing from a broken fire sprinkler and a fire hydrant was opened and damaged. The sound of fire alarm echoed through the station.

The vandalism in Sheung Shui station was spotted all over Hong Kong Monday morning, as violence-triggered turmoil has lasted for more than five months. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) services were seriously disrupted as rioters damaged facilities of stations and trains and blocked tracks.

Some radicals threw objects on railway tracks from high ground near Fanling station at about 6:19 a.m. local time, and the windscreens of two running trains were damaged. Another two running trains hit safety barriers at Sheung Shui station and a bicycle abandoned on the tracks near University station.

Railway tracks near Sha Tin, Tai Wai and University stations were also blocked by objects.

Rioters threw two petrol bombs into a train to set it ablaze and opened the emergency exit door in the rear carriage at Kwai Fong station. Petrol bombs were also used in Tung Chung station, and Heng On station was on fire.

A total of 25 stations including Sai Wan Ho, Whampoa and Tung Chung stations were closed due to disruptive activities and more than half of MTR lines were partially suspended or delayed, including East Rail, Tseung Kwan O and Tsuen Wan lines.

The MTR corporation expressed its outrage and strong condemnation in a statement at noon. "Rioters' acts posed a very serious threat to the safety of passengers, MTR staff and railway facilities, which cannot be tolerated at all," the statement said.

The MTR said it reported the cases to the police and urged the police to hold those involved accountable.

Outside Sheung Shui station, a road was completely blocked by a barricade made of plastic buckets, bricks and other objects. A large group of masked, black-clad protesters were knocking the barricades with steel bars in a rhythm.

At 11:20 a.m. local time, an ambulance roared to the station. Minutes later, a male with a bloody face was carried out. Other passengers said he quarreled with the radicals and was "lynched".

A lady surnamed Chin was discussing with her friends how to get to the downtown. The journey may not be easy as bus routes stopped and there was a long queue in the taxi stand.

"I can do nothing but just wait. When will all such things come to an end?" Chin said.