HONG KONG, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The latest on violent protests in Hong Kong (all times local):
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7:00 p.m.
Crowds of protesters begin to scatter as police step up dispersal efforts.
Some hard core rioters set fire at the gate of Wan Chai MTR station and Southorn Playground before retreating.
Rioters set fire at the gate of Wan Chai MTR station, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua)
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5:40 p.m.
Photos and video footages show several people are gang beaten by rioters in different locations. A 49-year-old man is critically injured, according to the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
A water cannon truck sprays blue-colored water on rioters.
Rioters gang beat a young man in Hong Kong, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua)
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5:07 p.m.
Rioters throw petrol bombs and set fire outside the HKSAR government headquarters and Legislative Council (LegCo) buildings.
Police begin dispersing protesters with tear gas after repeated warnings.
Rioters hurl petrol bombs and bricks in Hong Kong, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua)
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4:30 p.m.
Rioters smash glass at Wan Chai MTR station, damage and block exits of Admiralty MTR station. Several metro stations are forced to close.
A rioter smashes glass in a metro station in Hong Kong, Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua)
A man in blue shirt is beaten up by rioters. Live streaming shows the man lying on the ground with multiple injuries on his face and body.
TV footage shows some rioters set a Chinese national flag on fire in the area.
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2:00 p.m.
Protesters gather despite police ban in Hong Kong on Sept. 15, 2019. (Xinhua)
Protesters gather in an illegal rally despite a police ban.
The protesters occupy several main roads on the Hong Kong Island, causing serious obstruction to the traffic.
Shopping malls in the area are forced to close early.■
