Small bang for Lo Wu bomb

A homemade bomb exploded on a platform at Lo Wu MTR station yesterday - with no one injured - as a bomb disposal robot attempted to detonate it.

The explosion has been considered a warning to mainlanders coming into Hong Kong via Lo Wu due to a Telegram group named "Fortune stick no 92", which claimed responsibility for planting a bomb in Caritas Hospital last week, again claimed responsibility for the bomb at Lo Wu.

Two bags containing homemade bombs attached with wires were found in the 11th compartment of a train at platform no 3 at about 3pm, with MTR staff immediately calling the police.

The two bombs were found under the seat of a train by a cleaner, who took them to the station's staff, said superintendent Po Chun-kuen of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau.

At about 3.15pm, one bomb burst into flames and the sound of an explosion was heard, senior Bomb Disposal Officer Alick Mcwhirter said, adding that the other explosive was later rendered safe.

Officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau arrived on scene with bomb disposal robots. The second bomb exploded at about 5pm as a robot was checking it, marked by a loud bang along with fire and smoke.

In a message issued by the group, which was addressed to "mainland zombies", it said: "You guys come to our city to spread germs under the acquiescence of the tyranny, but you should think carefully whether you can get back alive."

A passenger surnamed Fong, who arrived in Hong Kong through Lo Wu at about 3.30pm, said he saw at least two bomb disposal robots on the platform.

Fong said he was not worried about safety, as most of the bombs were "usually fake" and "the government would be able to handle the real ones."

He said all other passengers and himself were asked to leave the station at 4.45pm.

Lo Wu station was closed at about 5.30pm and train service to the station was suspended. Trains on the East Rail Line only traveled went between Hung Hom and Sheung Shui or Hung Hom and Lok Ma Chau.

MTR said free shuttle buses were arranged only from Lo Wu to Sheung Shui but not the other direction in order to facilitate crowd flows and avoid more people heading to Lo Wu.

Passengers were asked to take the train to Lok Ma Chau for going to the mainland, or use other transportation methods. Train service at Lo Wu station resumed at about 9pm.

Yesterday's bomb explosion was the fourth such case in a week, with a bomb being previously found outside a toilet in Shenzhen Bay as a warning to the government to close all boundary control points with the mainland.

angel.kwan@singtaonewscorp.com