Protesters bring Hong Kong airport to standstill

All flights had to be cancelled as crowds of protesters occupied Hong Kong’s main air terminal, bringing it to a standstill.

In an ominous statement, the authorities in Beijing said things had reached a ‘critical juncture’ and declared there should be ‘no leniency or mercy’ shown to those involved in violence.

Hong Kong police have defended their crowd control tactics over the weekend – after tear gas was fired in a train station – and a female protestor was shot in the eye.

A warning – there are distressing images of the violence in this report.