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Hong Kong Authorities Refute Reports About Protester Deaths During Clashes With Police

BEIJING, (Sputnik) - Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung on Monday refuted reports that several protesters had died as a result of clashes with the police last weekend.
Sputnik

"The corresponding agencies have already clarified that among those hospitalised no one died. Overall 46 people were hospitalised, 19 remain in hospital, five are in dire condition and 14 are stable. Do not believe the rumours that someone died in hospital, these are fake rumours, which will not help settle the situation. I condemn those who are doing this [spreading rumours] as it is absolutely irresponsible", the official told a press conference.

On Saturday, violent clashes erupted between police and activists near government offices in the Admiralty District. The violence then spread to the districts of Mong Kok, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and continued on into the night.

Protesters tried to block roads and public transport links to the Hong Kong Airport. Following the protests, reports emerged on social media that several people had died from injuries received during the clashes.

Hong Kong Authorities Refute Reports About Protester Deaths During Clashes With Police

The mass protests in Hong Kong initially started as a reaction to proposed amendments to the city's extradition laws but over the months have grown into a full-blown opposition movement, demanding not only the withdrawal of the controversial initiative, but also the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the retraction of the government's classification of the violent clashes as riots, an independent inquiry into police violence, and the release of everyone arrested in the clashes.

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