Hong Kong police have arrested a 31-year-old man suspected of threatening to bomb Admiralty MTR station on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday. Officers searched the station and found no suspicious objects, seizing imitation firearms and war game gear from his home.
Hong Kong police arrested a 31-year-old local unemployed man at his Sha Tin home on Friday evening, suspecting him of posting a threat to bomb Admiralty MTR station in an online wargaming chat channel. The threat targeted February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, prompting swift action due to the station's status as one of the city's busiest and densest.
Inspector Luke Hung Sze-tat of the Central police district said on Saturday that although the crime involved only one person, "his threat to place a bomb in one of the busiest and densest MTR stations in Hong Kong prompted us to place much value on the case and to conduct the arrest swiftly."
Officers seized two imitation rifles, one imitation pistol, various imitation gun parts such as bullet cases, plastic bullets, and gas canisters, as well as tactical helmets, vests, and belts used for war games from the flat.
Two residents reported last Tuesday that an online game player had threatened to bomb the MTR station. The Central police district crime squad later identified the suspect. Officers from the uniformed patrol sub-unit, the emergency unit, and counterterrorism response unit searched the station but found no suspicious items.
The incident underscores the dangers of online threats, particularly during holidays, and their impact on public safety. Police stressed they will treat such cases seriously to protect residents.
