Floral tributes reappear at Prince Edward station after repair work on exit that was trashed by Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters
- Prince Edward was site of clashes between demonstrators and police, and was one of 40 MTR stations vandalised
Flowers and a traditional mourning shrine have been quickly replaced after previous bouquets and offerings were removed on Wednesday morning so repairs to an exit at Prince Edward MTR station could be carried out.
The repairs took place at exit B1 of the station, which has been the subject of unfounded rumours that three protesters died there during a police operation on August 31. Authorities have repeatedly dismissed any suggestions there were any fatalities.
On a sign in the station, the MTR Corporation said because it had been previously vandalised, the exit, which is one of two that are temporarily closed, needed to be repaired. The second exit is on the other side of Nathan Road.
“They are fixing the shutter gate and the lights that were damaged,” a repair worker said.
Prince Edward station is one of about 40 MTR stations damaged by anti-government protesters over the past month in demonstrations triggered by the controversial extradition bill.
The legislation, which was formally withdrawn on September 4, would have allowed criminals to be sent to jurisdictions that the city did not have an extradition agreement with, including mainland China.
Prince Edward station is one of the busiest rail interchanges in Hong Kong, and a stone’s throw from Mong Kok Police Station.
The two places became targets for protesters, with demonstrators choosing to confront police at the front entrance of the police station, which is right next to the B1 exit.
The MTR station was the site of several clashes between the police and protesters, and the MTR Corp shut the station as those clashes escalated.
On August 31, police conducted an operation on the station’s platforms, and were accused by protesters of beating passengers indiscriminately, though the force has maintained it only targeted radicals who had changed out of their black clothes.
Since then wreaths have piled up outside the station exits, while protesters have demanded the MTR Corp release security camera footage of the August 31 incident.
The rail operator has yet to comment on the temporary closure of the Prince Edward station exits.
