A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) was found in Mong Kok near police vans during a protest on Sunday.
At around 8pm, riot police were clearing protester roadblocks on Nathan Road before a loud bang was heard near the T.O.P mall near several police vans. 12 police vans quickly left the scene afterwards.
Pieces of red plastic bag and other debris were found nearby. A suspected IED, which included a mobile phone, was found in the mud of a flower rack.
Wilson Li, who was working for an international media outlet close to the scene, told HKFP that – after the loud bang – he saw a flash and smoke coming out of the device, but there were no flames.
He said the device did not cause any damage or injuries.
“If it was lethal, I would have been injured, since I was only 20 metres away,” he said.
【旺角即時】早前一輛警車旁發生爆炸，傳出一陣化學品味，警車急速駛離現場逃走。其後有人於現場發現有疑似利用手提電話改裝，用以控制爆炸品的「遙控裝置」。
Posted by Campus TV, HKUSU 香港大學學生會校園電視 on Sunday, 13 October 2019
According to a Ming Pao reporter, a strong chemical smell lingered 30 minutes after the incident.
Police returned to the scene at around 10:15pm as a vehicle belonging to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau arrived, according to Ming Pao.
City-wide protests against a now-scrapped extradition bill have entered their 19th week, as wider anger over police misconduct and demands for democracy engulf the movement.
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