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Sunday, September 01, 2019, 15:53
Tung Chung vandalized, protesters target airport again
By chinadailyhk.com
Sunday, September 01, 2019, 15:53 By chinadailyhk.com

Members of the press take photographs at the Tung Chung MTR subway station which was closed after mayhem by violent radicals, Sept 1, 2019. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Riotous mobs blocked roads and public transport links to Hong Kong International Airport Sunday as they continued their demonstrations against the now-stalled extradition law amendment bill for the 13th weekend.

Planes were taking off and landing, though with delays, trains were suspended and approach roads to the airport impassable as protesters erected barricades and overturned trolleys at the airport and in the nearby Tung Chung district. Many passengers were forced to walk the last bit of their journey to the airport by foot, dragging their luggage behind them.

The demonstrators planned to choke travel routes to the airport after a chaotic night of running battles between police and masked protesters. Police used water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators who had hurled petrol bombs and bricks at them Saturday.  

The MTR subway station in Tung Chung was closed and demonstrators smashed CCTV cameras and lamps with metal poles and dismantled station turnstiles. 

IN PICTURES: Air travelers suffer as HK radicals disrupt transport links

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region High Court on Aug 30 extended an interim injunction order banning protesters from impeding airport operations. The High Court, on Aug 30, extended the injunction for an indefinite period. The order was obtained by the authority after the city's aviation hub ground to a halt for two days in August during a mass sit-in by black-clad protesters, leading to around 1,000 flight cancelations.

8 pm: Long line of protesters on North Lantau Highway 

After their demonstration near the airport and massive damage in Tung Chung, hundreds of black-clad protesters were seen along the North Lantau Highway. Many of them took off their T-shirts. 

6:25 pm: Service on Disneyland Resort Line suspended 

In a message posted online at 6:20 pm, the MTR announced suspension of service as facilities at various stations of the line had been damaged heavily. It asked commuters to consider using other transport to reach their destinations.

6:07 pm:  Tung Chung Line suspends service

The MTR Corporation suspended train service on the Tung Chung Line following massive damage at various stations of the line

In a message posted online at 6:07 pm, the train operator consider urged people to use other transport to reach their destinations.

In a separate press statement, police said the protesters committed destructive acts in Tung Chung extensively inside the Tung Chung MTR station. 

“They dismantled CCTV cameras, damaged turnstiles and fire facilities, and smashed glass panes of a customer service center. Furthermore, radical protesters blocked multiple roads in Tung Chung, set fire to barricades and a national flag, paralyzing traffic,” reads the release. 

5:57 pm: Tung Chung MTR station closed

Train services on the Tung Chung Line is disrupted and Tung Chung Station is closed due to facilities being damaged at the station, the MTR Corporation said.

The announcement came after the riotous mobs smashed up the station, broke into the staff area of the station, damaging video screens and notice boards.

Violent protesters set fire to objects they gathered in the middle of the road leading to Hong Kong International Airport as their protests against the now-suspended extradition law amendment bill continue, Sept 1, 2019. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

5:40 pm: Radicals set fire near airport

Violent protesters gathered some objects, including barricades, in the middle of the road and lit a fire near the Hong Kong airport.

5:15 pm: Police warn of dispersal operation

Police said a large group of protestors hurled numerous iron poles, bricks and rocks onto the track near the Airport Station of the Airport Express at around 4pm. Some even trespassed on the track, seriously obstructing train services.

In a press statement, police said they would soon conduct a dispersal operation and warn the protestors to stop their illegal acts and leave immediately.

4:40 pm: Airport Express services suspended

The MTR Corp sent an alert at 4:37 pm that Airport Express services in both directions between Hong Kong and Airport stations have been suspended due to someone trespassing on the track near the airport and “foreign objects” on the track near the Airport Station. "In-town Check-in service is suspended until further notice," reads the message.

4 pm: Air travelers suffer

Travelers are facing difficulty going to the airport due as hundreds of vehicles remained clogged on the roads to the airport.

3:45 pm: Police to conduct dispersal operation at HKIA

As police approached, the protesters, who gathered at the airport bus stop, threw stones to slow down their vehicles.

In a press statement, police said some people walked out of the nearby roads and blocked the traffic at the Airport City Interchange and the Chek Lap Kok South Road with a large number of water horses and sundries. 

“In response to the situation on the spot, the police will take action to disperse and warn the demonstrators to immediately stop the illegal act and leave,” reads the statement issued at 3:45 pm.

READ MORE: Over 40 arrested as violence engulfs HK

3 pm: Traffic jam on Tsing Ma Bridge to airport

There is a long line of traffic on the Tsing Ma Bridge that goes to the airport with demonstrators trying to disrupt routes to the aviation hub.  

2:55 pm: AsiaWorld-Expo subway station closed

The MTR Corporation has closed its station at station AsiaWorld-Expo.


A staff member tries in vain to stop violent mobs from storming into the airport, Sept 1, 2019. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

2:45 pm: Vandalism at Tsing Yi MTR station

A group of radicals on Sunday vandalized several facilities at Tsing Yi subway station. The station also operates as a stop of the Airport Express linking the Hong Kong International Airport with downtown areas.

ALSO READ: HK civic leaders condemn stabbing of police officer

2:30pm: Airport parking entry blocked

Demonstrators use luggage carts to block airport parking/bus stop entrances

2 pm: Obstruction at airport bus stop

Since 1 pm, a large group of demonstrators have been gathering around bus stops at the Terminal of the HKIA. Around 2pm, they started to charge water-filled barriers, pointed laser beams at the Airport Authority staff, and blocked roads with trolleys and mills barriers. 

They also hurled objects at police officers and AA staff.

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