Police today confirmed that a remotely operated improvised explosive device, believed to have been intended to target and maim officers, was detonated in Mong Kok on Sunday evening.
At a press conference this afternoon, Deputy Police Commissioner Tang Ping-keung said the device was detonated at around 8pm on Nathan Road as riot police were clearing protesters and roadblocks. There were several police vans in the area at the time.
Photos circulating online show bits of red plastic and other debris. Tang said that at the time, a police car had just arrived to clear a roadblock, and as an officer got out of the vehicle, the explosive — planted some 10 to 15 meters away — went off.
According to a live blog by Ming Pao from last night, eyewitnesses said the bang was so loud it “almost pierced the ear drum,” and that there was a strong chemical smell that hung in the air for about half an hour. A van from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau arrived at the scene at around 10:15pm.
A loud bang was heard tonight as some police vehicles passed thru Nathan Road. Some plastic bag shreads, a battery and some sort of metal/circuit board found near the spot. pic.twitter.com/e4JtFaIhpC
— Selina Cheng (@selina_cheng) October 13, 2019
Tang said they believe the device was detonated using a cellphone, and even described it as being similar to those used in some terrorist attacks in other parts of the world, adding that knowledge and expertise was needed to make it.
“We believe such explosives were intended to attack our officers,” he said. “We strongly condemn the manufacturing of explosives, and it is a highly dangerous act that can cause heavy casualties.”
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