GENEVA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged Hong Hong authorities on Tuesday to exercise restraint and investigate evidence of its forces firing tear gas at protesters in ways banned by international law.

“Officials can be seen firing tear gas canisters into crowded, enclosed areas and directly at individual protesters on multiple occasions, creating a considerable risk of death or serious injury,” Bachelet said in a statement.

China’s comments on Monday about “sprouts of terrorism” emerging in Hong Kong are not helpful and risk inflaming the situation, her spokesman Rupert Colville told a news briefing. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay Editing by Peter Graff)