Protesters use fire extinguishers during a protest at Yuen Long MTR station in Hong Kong on Aug 21, 2019. The city's rail operator has expressed regret over illegal acts by protesters at one of its stations overnight. (PHILIP FONG / AFP)

HONG KONG – The city’s sole rail operator has expressed regret over illegal acts by protesters at one of its stations overnight, saying that it has filed a report with police in connection with the incident.

Thousands of protesters clashed with police on Wednesday at Yuen Long subway station where a mob in white shirts attacked people last month. 

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Some masked protesters discharged fire extinguishers from inside the station while others smeared the floor with cooking oil, beer and detergent to stop police from advancing.

A large group of protesters blocked roads outside Yuen Long MTR station and near Nam Pin Wai with bins, booths and other station furniture. Others aimed strong laser beams at police officers and threw empty fire extinguishers at police lines, posing a threat to the safety of the members of the public and officers at the scene.

The MTR staff spent the night cleaning up the mess left by protesters. 

Train services resumed on Thursday morning.

The protest marked a month of a sudden attack on the public there. White-shirted men stormed the Yuen Long station and attacked commuters with sticks and poles on July 21. Total 28 people have been arrested so far.

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