Hong Kong extradition law: protesters cause rush hour chaos in Admiralty as they block main MTR line in city

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South China Morning Post
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Train services were disrupted Wednesday morning as people demanded the rail corporation be held accountable for their role in Yuen Long attacks

South China Morning Post |
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Protesters prevent the doors of a train closing as MTR staff try to stop them at Admiralty station.

Rush hour train services were disrupted and delayed in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning after anti-government protesters launched another campaign against rail operator MTR Corporation.

The protest in Admiralty revolves around the violence in Yuen Long MTR station on Sunday, when a mob of men in white T-shirts attacked passengers, passers-by, and those returning from an earlier extradition bill demonstration in Central.

At 8.20am this morning, protesters prevented a Chai Wan-bound train from leaving Admiralty station by obstructing train doors. The service finally left 18 minutes late after doors opened and closed repeatedly.

Students explain why they continue to protest, even after violent clashes with police

Zachary Perez Jones, a Junior Reporter with Young Post, said his journey to work was delayed by about 30 minutes. He also provided a first-hand account of the chaos. 
 
"In Central station, there was a lot of staff running around with megaphones. The atmosphere was very tense, and a lot of announcements were being made, as well as lots of flashing displays on the boards announcing delays. There were lots of police and MTR staff on the platforms," said Perez Jones. 
 

MTR Corp said services had been disrupted and warned passengers it would take longer for them to reach their destinations. It said it expected Island line trains between Chai Wan and Kennedy to be delayed by 10 to 15 minutes as the emergency button on board had also been frequently pressed.

Some people tried to prevent Chai Wan-bound trains from leaving the Admiralty station by obstructing train doors with their body for non-cooperative campaign against the MTR's accountability over a violent incident.
Photo: Nora Tam

There were disputes among passengers, protesters, and the police, as crowds grew on the station’s platforms.

This is the second time this week train services have been disrupted.

Since Monday, protesters have demanded that the MTR Corp be held accountable for the violent late-night attacks in Yuen Long.

Protest art from HK streets shows how people feel about the extradition bill

The protests at Admiralty caused North Point station, which serves as an interchange for the Tseung Kwan O line and Island line, to come to a standstill. Announcements made at the station advised travellers to find other modes of transport. 

Just after 9am, no trains had arrived at either platform, both of which were filled with morning commuters.
 
Some travellers opted to leave the station, and the MTR Corp allowed Octopus card users to leave without paying.
 
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