Scuffles broke out yesterday as thousands of people queued in sweltering heat for about 250,000 Olympic Games tickets on sale in Beijing. The fights broke out in the afternoon after a number of queue-jumping incidents.
"It was fine and orderly the whole morning until 2pm when a bunch of people arrived," a man in the queue said.
A reporter and cameraman from Now TV filming the incident were ordered by public security officers to stop and erase the recording. They refused and were detained in a police vehicle until a Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office representative arrived to mediate.
Now TV issued a statement accusing the authorities of interfering with press freedom. It said it was the second time in a week its reporters were obstructed.
About 10,000 people were queuing for tickets. Many were equipped with tents, fans, umbrellas, food and water.
Some entered into pacts with strangers to take turns in line. Others called on the authorities to issue purchase tokens to those in the queue. The tickets, on sale today and tomorrow, are for events in Beijing.
Another 570,000 tickets for football matches are up for grabs in co-host cities.
