Police fire tear gas, protesters throw petrol bombs as Hong Kong protests intensify

Demonstrations in Hong Kong grew increasingly heated Saturday as police fired tear gas and a water cannon at protesters, some of whom threw petrol bombs in the protests. 

{mosads}Pictures posted online from Hong Kong showed fires in the streets, including a massive fire on a main street, and police pushing back protesters, some of whom were wearing gas masks. 

CNN reported that riot police had detained several demonstrators who were fleeing and searched their personal belongings. Protesters set fires in the street, marking one of the most intense clashes between demonstrators and police in months.

-Tear gas
-Water cannons
-Fire barricades

This is what Hong Kong looked like going into its 13th straight weekend of protests https://t.co/rwyvFYmRjn pic.twitter.com/eoxDkzvn8w

— Bloomberg Asia (@BloombergAsia) August 31, 2019

According to CNN, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets in one instance as protesters charged and retreated. 

Local authorities have arrested several demonstrators in recent days, including prominent student activist Joshua Wong.

Hong Kong has been grappling with the months-long protest over a now-suspended bill that would allow some citizens to be extradited to mainland China. The demonstrations have continued even after the bill was pulled, with protesters calling for Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s resignation and an independent investigation into alleged police brutality. 

Protesters say police failed to stop a high-profile attack on demonstrators in a train station last month when over 100 men hit people with sticks and metal bars, injuring dozens, while authorities allegedly failed to take immediate action.

Authorities later arrested over 20 people, including some with mob ties, and ultimately apologized for their response.