The protests had begun during Lunar New Year celebrations in reaction to the shutdown. It quickly turned violent. Protesters started to throw projectiles such as paving stones, bricks, pot plants and bottles at officers. Hong Kong police have admitted to firing two warning shots into the air after this occurred, causing the situation to further escalate.
This is the worst violence Hong Kong has seen since late 2014, with 44 police officers and four journalists being injured in the scuffles. Several of these officers have been left in comas, indicating the severity of the situation at the time. During the evening, 24 protesters were arrested for reasons including assaulting a police officer and obstructing police.
The Mong Kok train station was forced to close down temporarily after fires were set in nearby streets.
The local police were forced to respond swiftly and harshly to the riot, utilising batons and pepper spray to attempt to control the crowd, though footage and injury statistics suggest that they were overwhelmed.
Police also issued the following statement to the public: "To ensure public safety and public order, police took resolute actions, including using baton and pepper spray, to stop the unlawful violent acts,"
About 100 protesters remained throughout the early morning in a standoff with police, lighting fires in the streets.
Hugh McFarlane