Joint statement by Police and Fire Services Department on the mutual understanding and respect for each other's work
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Last night, Police conducted dispersal and arrest operations after a number of serious violent incidents occurred in various districts on Hong Kong Island. A large number of masked rioters illegally blocked roads, committed vandalism and set fires.
A fire appliance was dispatched by the FSD at about 6.15pm to tackle a No. 1 fire at Exit C of the MTR Central Station. The supervisor of the appliance and the fire team immediately entered the station to handle the fire incident, leaving a fireman responsible for driving to stay behind in the appliance for logistical support.
Rioters ignored Police's instructions and refused to leave when Police's cordon line advanced to near Connaught Road Central at about 7.30pm. In response to the situation, Police deployed tear gas to disperse rioters. The fire appliance was accidentally hit by a tear gas round. The fireman was affected by the tear gas spread through the cabin. He subsequently got off the fire truck to express his dissatisfaction to police officers who were performing duties near the fire engine. There was misunderstanding in the verbal communication between both sides. The matter was tackled and resolved at the scene after further communication.
The management of the Police and the FSD had communicated on the incident and explained to each other on the working situation of their frontline officers. Both sides also expressed mutual understanding and respect for each other's work and will continue to work together in the future to stamp out violence.
Ends/Sunday, November 3, 2019
Issued at HKT 3:21
Issued at HKT 3:21
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