More than 100 mainland tourists scuffled with Macau riot police after a dispute with tour organisers turned violent last night.
The tourists, from Hebei province , argued with their Macau tour guides, saying their trip had included too many shopping stops and not enough sights, and that they had been required to pay more than the agreed fee.
The tourists said they were taken by coach to Hac Sa on Coloane island and abandoned on the beach after they complained. The clash became heated when some elderly tourists were prevented from retrieving coats and jackets from a coach to protect them from the windy weather.
Police were called at 5.30pm. Riot officers were called in when frontline officers failed to resolve the dispute, which disintegrated into a running battle between guides and visitors.
Several of the angry tourists, who had earlier visited Hong Kong, surrounded police officers equipped with helmets, batons and shields.
A woman tour guide who collapsed after feeling dizzy in the scuffle was taken to hospital. Police detained four people for questioning.