Hong Kong protests: As demonstrators besiege station in rage over last Saturday’s service disruption, Hang Hau MTR staff pull down gate

More than a hundred protesters besieged Hang Hau railway station on Thursday, prompting staff to pull down an exit gate.

It came after workers’ unions at train operator the MTR Corporation urged the government to put extra police at every station to protect staff, like it did during a citywide strike earlier this week.

Protesters have been escalating their actions against the MTR Corp, which they have accused of siding with police during the ongoing civil unrest. They have vandalised facilities at many stations.

At about 9pm, protesters started besieging Hang Hau station, on the Tseung Kwan O line, demanding an explanation for why the railway company shut down the line last Saturday. They were chanting anti-government slogans such as “Five demands, not one less”. Anti-riot police officers soon arrived at the scene, while nearby shops also closed early.

At about 10pm, as crowds grew outside exit A and people started abusing police, MTR staff pulled down the gate at the exit.

On the previous night, protesters besieged Po Lam station for the same reason and attacked the station supervisor. They also vandalised ticket machines and entry gates. Two men were arrested.