A 35-year-old British Man Broke down 10 Self-service Check-in Machines at Hong Kong International Airport and was Arrested for Criminal Damage

A 20-second video went viral online on the morning of February 16th, showing a bald foreign man causing a disturbance at Hong Kong International Airport. He pushed over self-service check-in machines at the Departure Hall and even used the retractable belt stanchions to smash the fallen machines. The Airport Authority stated that the foreign man had damaged approximately 10 self-service check-in machines, several railings, and counters in the vicinity. The Authority immediately intervened and called the police for assistance. Alternative self-service check-in machines were arranged to be replaced, so that the operations of the airport would not be affected.

Photo source: Screenshot of rednote video

Photo source: Screenshot of rednote video

The Police stated that they received a report around 6:00 a.m. that a foreign man had damaged property at Hong Kong International Airport. According to the preliminary investigations, a 35-year-old British man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

The Airport Authority stated that around 6:00 a.m. this morning, a foreign man caused a disturbance at Aisle J, Departures Level, Terminal 1. After receiving the report, the Airport Authority personnel and security guards immediately arrived at the scene, warned and stopped the man from further damage, and called the police at the same time. The Police subsequently arrived and arrested the man for investigation.

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

Photo source: Screenshot of FB video

The Airport Authority has immediately dispatched personnel to handle the situation and replace the self-service check-in machines. In case, passengers can also use other unaffected check-in machines or do the check-in manually at airline counters. The airport operations have not been affected.

Secretary for Housing expresses condolences over passing of Dr Donald Liao

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, today (March 13) expressed sorrow over the passing of the former Secretary for Housing, the first Director of Housing, and the former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, and extends her deepest condolences to his family.

The former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, Photo source: online image

Dr Liao was the first Director of Housing from 1973 to 1980 and the Secretary for Housing from 1980 to 1985.

Ms Ho said, "I met Dr Liao for the first time when we were filming the documentary series which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the HA. My colleagues and I were instantly impressed by his warmth and care for the younger generations amid robust exchanges on public housing, architecture and design, as well as community planning.

"As the pioneer of the Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong, Dr Liao established the subsidised sale housing system to facilitate not only the turnover of public rental housing, but also encourage upward mobility for the grassroots families. At his young age, he took charge of the entire development projects of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wah Fu Estate, where he had placed particular emphasis on the integration of public spaces, ancillary facilities and natural environments in public housing designs. Dr Liao's career journey in public housing has been an inspiration to our team and he will remain our role model as we continue to strive our best in the design of public housing.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Donald Liao and would like to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Housing Bureau, the HA, and the Housing Department."

The Housing Authority (HA), Photo by Bastille Post