Hong Kong man hit over head with drain cover while clearing protesters’ barricades in Mong Kok
- Victim, 53, suffered serious head injuries from attack by masked assailant in early hours of Sunday, police say
- Video shows moment he was struck by a hard object as he tries to dismantle barricades erected during anti-government unrest
A man was hit over the head with a drain cover by a masked assailant while clearing protesters’ roadblocks in Hong Kong in the early hours of Sunday, sparking a manhunt.
Police said the 53-year-old suffered serious head injuries from the attack at the junction of Nathan Road and Mong Kok Road in Mong Kok, where the victim was removing barricades at about 1am.
A police spokesman said they “seriously condemned the violent behaviour of the rioter” and have attached “great importance” to the case.
“Police absolutely do not tolerate anyone who uses violence to achieve their aims,” the spokesman said.
“We will take law enforcement action resolutely to restore order in society and bring all lawbreakers to justice.”
Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung said the man could have been killed when he was hit by what he called a drain cover.