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Linda Lew

Police have apologised for firing tear gas into a pharmacy and restaurant in Hong Kong during a protest, but failed to explain how the incident came about, according to the shop’s manager.
A canister releasing the chemical irritant landed inside Ming Yan Dispensary in Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, as another day of anti-government demonstrations descended into violence on Sunday. A noodle bar in Mong Kok suffered a similar fate.
The shopkeeper, who gave his surname as Wu, said four police officers visited him Monday morning to say sorry, but could not tell him why the pharmacy had been hit.
“I couldn’t do anything else but accept the apology,” Wu said.




The round was fired during a police clearance operation on Sunday night, the day of an illegal gathering attended by hundreds at Salisbury Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Some radical protesters threw petrol bombs at police, blocked roads and vandalised shops and MTR stations, while tear gas and water cannon were deployed against them, as violence spread across Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po and beyond.
The canister landed on a shelf stocked with vitamin oils, filling the pharmacy in Yau Ma Tei with the chemical-laced smoke. The shop’s shutters were partially lowered at the time.

Wu said he was standing at the entrance of the dispensary when the airborne canister missed him by inches.
He immediately ran to the toilet in an attempt to wash off the tear gas, the manager said, before he was escorted out by first-aiders.
Hong Kong police admits ‘aggressive tactics’ amid force-media tensions
The smell of tear gas still lingered in the pharmacy on Monday, more than 12 hours after the incident. Wu has set up a fan in the store to clear the remnants of the chemical agent.
Six damaged boxes of supplements worth around HK$1,000 (US$128) have been taken off the shelf. Wu said a thorough check and clean of other products in the store was needed.




The months-long protests – sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill which would have allowed the transfer of criminal suspects to mainland China – have hit Ming Yan Dispensary hard.
Hong Kong hit by violence and chaos as protests continue into 21st weekend
Wu estimated that business on the day the shop was hit by tear gas was down 60 to 70 per cent on a typical Sunday.
“Business has been hard due to the protests. But what can we do?” he said.




Wu said trading on Monday afternoon had been very slow. During a half-hour window three customers walked in, with one rubbing her eyes as she left quickly without buying anything.
A noodle restaurant in Mong Kok was also hit by tear gas on Sunday evening. The canister ignited an advertising board outside the entrance of the store, with the smoke billowing inside.
On Monday afternoon, the smell had dissipated and the eatery in Sai Yeung Choi Street South returned to business. Burn marks were still visible on the walls.
Top cop brought out of retirement to handle protests set to leave force
A member of staff at the shop, surnamed Cheung, said on Sunday night the smell of tear gas was very strong, forcing staff to retreat to the back of the restaurant.
The owner of the noodle shop declined to comment on Monday.
A police source said they had also apologised to the noodle shop in Mong Kok. The Post has approached the Police Public Relations Branch for confirmation.


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Hong Kong police apologise for tear-gassing pharmacy and restaurant during protests

Ming Yan Dispensary was filled with tear gas on Sunday after a canister fired by police ended up on the premises. Photo: Linda Lew

A staff member who gave his surname as Wu was at the Ming Yan Dispensary when the tear gas canister landed on a shelf holding vitamin oils. Smoke immediately filled the tiny store front. SCMP/ Linda Lew

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Alan Lau was brought out of retirement in August. Photo: David Wong

Anti-riot police in Mong Kok, during a struggle with anti-government protesters. 27OCT19 SCMP / Edmond So

Anti-riot police arrests an anti-government protester in Mong Kok. 27OCT19 SCMP / Edmond So

Alan Lau Yip-shing, director of operations, attends a press conference on mid year crime report at Police Headquarters in Wan Chai. 27JUL16 SCMP/ David Wong

Tear gas fired by the police during the clashes between anti-government protesters and anti-riot police in Mong Kok. 27OCT19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

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Multiple rounds of tear gas are fired on Nathan Road in Mong Kok. Photo: Sam Tsang

Police officers are seen in Tsim Sha Tsui, ahead of anti-government protest. 27OCT19 Photo:SCMP/Felix Wong

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in Tsim Sha Tsui. 27OCT19 Photo:Felix Wong

A MTR Exit in Mong Kok is seen on fire. 27OCT19 SCMP/ Sam Tsang

Driver of a KMB bus receiving medical attention after the air-condition system of the bus circulates tear gases in Mong Kok. 27OCT19 SCMP/ Edmond So

Protesters gather at Salisbury Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: SCMP/Sam Tsang

A tear gas round has been shot inside the Ming Yan Dispensary on Nathan Road. 27OCT19  SCMP / Linda Lew

Anti-government protesters clash with police in Tsim Sha Tsui. 27OCT19 Photo:SCMP/Sam Tsang

Anti-riot police is seen in Tsim She Tsui. 27OCT19 SMCP/ Edmond So

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in Tsim Sha Tsui. 27OCT19 Photo:SCMP/Sam Tsang

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Riot police in Mong Kok earlier this month. Photo: Sam Tsang

Riot police emerge from Mong Kok Police Station to clear crowds of anti-government protesters who appeared to offer prayers at an exit of Prince Edward MTR Station. 07OCT19 SCMP / Edmond So

Police chase protesters down a street in Hong Kong after another rally turned violent. Photo: AP

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A police dog unmasked during protests, where police fired tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in Yuen Long. Photo: USP United Social Press/Benjamin Yuen

Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan Siu-chee, visits a District Health Centre (DHC) with a brand new operation mode in Kwai Tsing District, Kwai Chung. 20SEP19 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

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Riot police fire tear gas on protesters in Admiralty as they gather for an anti-extradition bill march from Causeway Bay. 29SEP19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Anti-government protestors struggles with anti-riot police outside of the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station, Tsim Sha Tsui. 20OCT19 SCMP / Felix Wong

Anti-government protesters struggle with anti-riot police outside of the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station, Tsim Sha Tsui. 20OCT19 SCMP / Felix Wong

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Hong Kong Economy


But officers cannot explain how the medicine outlet in Kowloon became a victim of clearance operation, shopkeeper says
Store manager harmed by the chemical irritant, which engulfed Ming Yan Dispensary on Sunday



But officers cannot explain how the medicine outlet in Kowloon became a victim of clearance operation during Sunday’s protests, shopkeeper says.


Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong police

Anti-mainland China sentiments

Crime in Hong Kong