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Clifford Lo

Danny Mok

Hong Kong police have arrested four teenage boys after chemicals used in bomb-making and weapons were found near a postsecondary school.
Police said on Wednesday the four, aged 13 to 15, were detained in connection with the haul, discovered behind the Kwun Tong branch of the Institute of Vocational Education the day before.
Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee of Kowloon East police regional headquarters said the suspects were Form One and Form Two pupils from four secondary schools in the district.
“The people arrested have conducted multiple tests to burn the chemicals, ignoring the safety of other students and posing an extreme danger to other people. Police severely condemn this,” she said.
Chung said 90 bottles or bags of chemicals in solid, liquid and powder form were found close to the school on Hiu Ming Street.
They were stashed in a space under a building on a slope near the campus that measured about 465 square metres and was two metres in height.
Officers also seized various weapons and tools including two axes, a knife, and a stun gun in the area where scorch marks were found.
The axes were believed to have been used to cut wood and a scythe, a shovel and a saw were also discovered.
She said one of the chemicals found was a nitrate compound, a common ingredient in home-made explosives.
A significant amount of laboratory equipment was also found, including measuring cups, alcohol lamps, and fire extinguishers.
Three suitcases, each containing chemical substances, a gas mask, and a lighter, were also seized.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau discovered a small amount of match-heads, classed as explosives, and a variety of chemicals that could be used to manufacture explosives and cyanide.
Police also discovered explosives at the home of one of the boys, as well as chemical formulas for explosives and records of browsing of related websites on his phone.
Several videos showing one of the teenagers burning items at the hiding place were found on another of the teenagers’ phones.
Police said the teenagers told officers that they had bought the materials and equipment from online platforms based elsewhere.
“Due to the instability of some of the chemical substances, officers from the police bomb disposal unit and government laboratories removed the relevant items from the scene,” Chung added.
The boys were arrested on suspicion of possession of explosives, conspiracy to make explosives and possession of unlicensed firearms.
One of the teenagers is suspected to have ties to a triad gang.
Chung said that the four were friends who had known each other for about seven years.
She added that police had not found any information to indicate the individuals had been involved in previous political events, but that would be one of the lines of inquiry.
A police source said that a preliminary investigation indicated that the boys had no political motives and had amassed the items for fun.
“Police reiterate their utmost concern regarding cases involving explosives and pledge their commitment to safeguarding the safety and stability of Hong Kong,” Chung said.
She said officers would also investigate whether the boys had been manipulated and if they had any accomplices.
Another source said there was no indication that any of the chemicals had been stolen from the institute.
The four boys were still being held for questioning on Wednesday night.
Detectives from the Kowloon East regional crime unit are handling the case.
The seizure was made at around 3pm on Tuesday after two workers cutting grass behind the institute noticed that part of a piece of wire mesh had been cut open.
The workers spotted two men burning something nearby and when they confronted them, the pair fled the scene and the groundsmen contacted police.


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News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Boys aged 13 to 15 held after weapons such as knives and a stun gun and chemicals found behind Kwun Tong school


Boys aged 13 to 15 held after weapons such as knives and a stun gun, as well as bomb-making chemicals, found behind Kwun Tong school.


Hong Kong police

Crime

Hong Kong police arrest 4 teens after bomb-making chemicals, weapons found near school

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Boys aged 13 to 15 held after weapons such as knives and a stun gun and chemicals found behind Kwun Tong school

Boys aged 13 to 15 held after weapons such as knives and a stun gun and chemicals found behind Kwun Tong school