Hong Kong clashes as police clear food stalls

8:24:00 AM
Police and public scuffle in Mong Kok, Hong Kong (9 Feb 2016)Image copyrightAP
Image captionThe clashes broke out in the early hours of the morning
Clashes have broken out in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong, during a police operation to clear illegal food stalls.
The unrest erupted as food and hygiene inspectors tried to move the vendors away from a major junction in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Angry vendors threw bricks and other missiles at police, who responded with batons and pepper spray.
One senior official said police had fired two warning shots and that 44 people, including police, were injured.
Yau Siu-kei, the acting district commander for Mong Kok, blamed "radical elements" for what he said was a riot.
"Because many rioters were attacking police with hard objects and seriously threatened their lives, there was no choice but to protect colleagues," the South China Morning Post quoted him as saying.
In a statement, police said the vendors had ignored warnings to leave the area. Three men, aged 27 to 35, had been arrested for assaulting and obstructing officers, said the statement.
It was the largest unrest in Hong Kong since the massive pro-democracy street protests in 2014.
Protesters start fires in Mong Kong, Hong Kong (9 Feb 2016)Image copyrightAP
Image captionThe protesters lit several small fires in the streets
Protesters throw bricks towards riot police in Mong Kong, Hong Kong (9 feb 2016)Image copyrightAP
Image captionProtesters threw bricks and other objects towards the police
Riot police in the streets of Mong Kong, Hong Kong (9 Feb 2016)Image copyrightGetty Images
Image captionPolice said some officers were among the injured

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