Hong Kong protests: MTR, banks, supermarkets and shopping centres all closed as city grinds to halt after another night of violence
- Rail operator took unprecedented step of closing entire network on Friday night and has said it will not reopen on Saturday
- Wave of destruction leaves businesses picking up pieces as city braces for another weekend of unrest
Hong Kong’s entire railway network was at a standstill on Saturday, while dozens of shopping centres, shops, and banks, also closed as the city reeled from the aftermath of another night of widespread destruction and violence.
Anti-government protesters angry at the introduction of a law banning the wearing of face masks at public rallies rampaged through the city on Friday night and into the early hours of the following morning.
After the unprecedented shutdown of all MTR stations late on Friday night, the MTR Corporation announced at 3.45am that none of the lines could be reopened in the morning, and subsequently said the network would not reopen on Saturday, apart from the Airport Express. “After the outbreak of violence at multiple districts, maintenance staff are still carrying out repair works at damaged stations,” the rail operator said on its website. “After conducting an assessment jointly with the police and other relevant government departments, all MTR train services covering the Heavy Rail (except Airport Express) and Light Rail is suspended today.
“MTR buses will provide limited service from 4pm onwards.”
“It’s definitely inconvenient. I had to call off plans to go to a talk in Tsim Sha Tsui with my friends because MTR is not available,” said Simon Chan, a 63-year-old who wanted to meet friends in Sai Wan Ho.
