China coronavirus: tensions high as thousands queue in Hong Kong desperate for masks, many leaving empty-handed
- Anger as those waiting hours outside Watsons cannot get hold of coverings to protect themselves from deadly Wuhan contagion
- Police called after men seen kicking the front of a store, while members of staff face abusive shoppers
Braving the cold weather warning, some defied pleas not to camp out overnight after Watsons announced on social media that a small quantity of the protective coverings would be available at 230 of its stores on Thursday.
There were a handful of disturbances including at the Tin Shui Wai branch, where police arrived after some men were seen kicking the front of the store and shouting abuse at a member of staff who said a total of only 20 boxes of the masks were available.
A shop manager in North Point was also confronted by an angry crowd desperate to get hold of masks amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has infected thousands across the world, including 10 in Hong Kong, and killed 170 in mainland China.
Meanwhile, cosmetics chain Bonjour announced on Thursday morning that a shipment of 2,000 boxes of masks would arrive from Japan at about noon.