In Pictures

Hong Kong protests: Flights suspended, tear gas fired

Suspension of Monday flights marks yet another dramatic escalation in the 10-week crisis.

Pro-Democracy protesters throw back tear gas fired by the police during a demonstratrion against the controversial extradition bill in Sham Shui Po district in Hong Kong on August 11, 2019. - Thousand — Pro-democracy protesters throw back tear gas canisters fired by the police during protests in the Sham Shui Po district. [Anthony Wallace/AFP]

All flights in and out of Hong Kong were cancelled on Monday after thousands of pro-democracy protesters flooded the city’s airport to denounce police violence.

Violent protests gripped the city over the weekend as demonstrators destroyed barricades across the city and police fired tear gas into crowded underground train stations – the first occurance of this nature.

Scores of protesters were arrested on Sunday, with many taken away, beaten with batons and bloodied. Tear gas was fired at crowds in the districts of Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Authorities called the demonstrations illegal and dangerous, claiming that protests have hurt the already-faltering economy and residents’ daily lives.

The abrupt shutdown of one of the world’s busiest airports came as the Chinese government signalled its rising anger at the protesters, describing some of the violent demonstrations as “terrorism”.

The developments marked yet another dramatic escalation in a 10-week crisis that had already become the biggest challenge to the Chinese rule of Hong Kong since the 1997 British handover.

The protests began in opposition to a bill which would have allowed the extradition of Hong Kong residents to the mainland to stand trial. But soon the aim of the protests widened to highlight other grievances, drawing broader support.

Police have arrested more than 600 people since the unrest began more than two months ago.

A man reacts from tear gas as protesters face off with riot policemen on a street in Hong Kong, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019. Police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try to disperse a demonstration in — Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who took over streets in two parts of the Asian financial capital, blocking traffic and setting up another night of showdowns with riot police. [Kin Cheung/AP Photo]

Protesters with umbrellas and homemade shields as they face with riot policemen on a street in Hong Kong, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019. Police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try to disperse a demons — Protesters with umbrellas and homemade shields prepare to face riot police. [Kin Cheung/AP Photo]

Police officers fire tear gas as anti-extradition bill protesters demonstrate in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood in Hong Kong, China, August 11, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu — Police officers fire tear gas at protesters in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood. [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

Protesters with protection gears face with riot policemen on a street during the anti-extradition bill protest in Hong Kong, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019. Police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try t — The protests began in opposition to a bill allowing the extradition of Hong Kong nationals to the mainland to stand trial, but have widened to highlight other grievances. [Vincent Thian/AP Photo]

Riot police use pepper spray against protesters during the anti-extradition bill protest in Hong Kong, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019. Police fired tear gas Sunday inside a train station and in several other H — Riot police use pepper spray against protesters. [Kin Cheung/AP Photo]

Police disperse pro-democracy protesters outside Tsim Sha Tsui Police station during a demonstration against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on August 11, 2019. - Empty hotel rooms, st — Police disperse protesters outside Tsim Sha Tsui police station. [Manan Vatsyayana/AFP]

A pro-democracy protester is held by police outside Tsim Sha Tsui Police station during a demonstration against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on August 11, 2019. - Empty hotel rooms, — Scores of protesters were arrested, with many being taken away, beaten with batons and bloodied. [Manan Vatsyayana/AFP]

Policemen charge towards protesters during the anti-extradition bill protest at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019. Police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try to disperse a demo — Police charge at protesters in front of Tsim Sha Tsui police station. [Eric Tsang/HK01 via AP]

Riot police officers detain an anti-extradition bill protester during a demonstration in Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood in Hong Kong, China, August 11, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato — Police have arrested more than 600 people since the unrest began more than two months ago. [Issei Kato/Reuters]

An injured anti-extradition bill protester receives medical assistance during a demonstration in Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood in Hong Kong, China, August 11, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato - — An injured protester receives medical assistance in Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood. [Issei Kato/Reuters]

An anti-extradition bill protester covers her eye with a gauze during a mass demonstration after a woman was shot in the eye during a protest at Hong Kong International Airport, in Hong Kong, China Au — A medic was hospitalised after she was shot in the right eye during the protests, triggering a protest by medical workers who wore bloodied patches over their eyes. [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

Anti-extradition bill protesters rally at the departure hall of Hong Kong airport in Hong Kong, China August 12, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Peter — Thousands of pro-democracy protesters flooded the city's airport to denounce police violence. [Thomas Peter/Reuters]

An information screen showing cancelled flights is pictured at Hong Kong International Airport as anti-extradition bill protesters attend a mass demonstration after a woman was shot in the eye during — All flights in and out of Hong Kong were cancelled on Monday. [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]