Prince Edward exit reopens, but flowers still arrive

Prince Edward exit reopens, but flowers still arrive

Cleaning workers removed flowers that were placed earlier in the day, but people arrived more flowers when they left. Photo: RTHK

An exit at Prince Edward Station of the MTR reopened on Tuesday morning after it had been kept closed for more than two months.



But the area has continued to attract protesters who continue to go there to place flowers and burn joss sticks.



The exit was closed after a clash between protesters and police on August 31 after armed officers entered a platform and trains to detain suspects.



Police said seven people were injured but protesters dispute this. As the media were removed from the scene, there was no independent verification of the police claims, leading to rumours of fatalities which police, the fire force and other authorities have repeatedly denied.



The rail company shut the B1 exit on Nathan Road the next day, saying the facilities there had been seriously damaged by protesters.



The sealed exit then became a makeshift shrine for protesters who brought flowers and burnt joss sticks to mourn alleged fatalities.



The site, which is close to Mong Kok Police Station, has also seen regular clashes between officers and protesters who gather there regularly. Some pro-Beijing groups had also descended there at times, trashing the makeshift shrine.



On Friday, cleaning workers removed flowers put up by protesters and they remained silent when some residents asked who had employed them.



Even as the cleaners were leaving, people arrived with more flowers. Police officers who were at the scene did not interfere and just watched from a distance.