Hong Kong protests: 3 arsonists jailed for up to 4½ years after fire at MTR station during 2019 social unrest
- Arsonist trio involved in Kowloon Tong MTR station blaze sentenced to jail and ordered to pay damages to transport operator
- District judge says tough sentences required to protect lives, prevent future attacks
The District Court on Tuesday heard the trio started a fire near turnstiles at Exit G1 of the railway station soon after 2pm on October 12, 2019, when black-clad demonstrators took to the streets to protest against an anti-mask law.
The trio’s arson attack scorched a three-by-one-metre area, causing black smoke to spread across the ceiling of the station. MTR staff reacted quickly to the incident and managed to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher in under a minute.
The turnstiles were subsequently closed for repairs, costing HK$84,156 (US$10,789).
District Judge Clement Lee Hing-nin said the three defendants had planned the attack at one of the busiest MTR stations and the court needed to impose a deterrent sentence to protect lives and prevent a repeat of the incident.
Delivery worker Tsang Yu-sang, 28, who had placed two bottles of petrol in front of the turnstiles, pleaded guilty before trial and was jailed for 52 months on four charges, including conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
