Hong Kong police vow 'follow-up action' on Soko Island tear gas drill debris

Police have committed to “follow-up action” after hundreds of spent tear gas grenades and debris from crowd control weapons were left on one of the Soko Islands following a training exercise.

It comes a day after HKFP reported on the potentially hazardous refuse strewn across far-flung Tai A Chau, which is surrounded by the protected South Lantau Marine Park.

soko islands tai a chau — Spent tear gas grenades and debris as seen on Tai A Chau, Soko Islands on February 18, 2022. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

“After the completion of training and drills, the police will endeavour to clean up all debris left behind, but the process is sometimes affected by the weather, environment or other factors. With regard to the current situation, the police will carry out appropriate follow-up action,” a police spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The island, southwest of Lantau, is uninhabited and has no regular transport – however, it is open to the public and is often visited by private vessels, fishermen and tour groups.

Visitors in recent days were able to detect tear gas in the air as the wind swept over the area, an HKFP reporter noted.

Collection illegal

Police told HKFP that retaining spent rounds without a licence was an offence under the firearms ordinance. “A person who contravenes the above Ordinance commits an offence and is liable on conviction upon indictment to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and to imprisonment for 14 years,” the spokesperson said.

Exposure to tear gas can cause shortness of breath, burning skin, streaming eyes, a runny nose and sometimes vomiting. It is banned from use in warfare under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Environmental Protection Agency did not respond to HKFP’s enquiries about the clean-up or effect on the local environment and wildlife.