Police have arrested a 35-year-old British tourist following a violent outburst inside Hong Kong International Airport that reportedly left multiple self-service kiosks damaged. The disturbance occurred at approximately 6 a.m. local time on Feb. 16 inside one of the airport’s terminals.
According to footage from the scene, the man walked up to a row of check-in kiosks and began pushing them over. Travellers nearby reacted with visible shock as they watched the machines fall to the ground one after another.
Video of the incident shows the situation escalating when the man removed a sign attached to a metal pole and began whacking the kiosks with the pole. As he repeatedly hit the equipment, causing further damage, some onlookers began stepping back from the area, while others quickly fled the scene in fear.
When the rampage ended, there was a line of damaged kiosks along the floor. Several queue-management poles had been displaced. Reports also indicate that tourists had targeted nearby railings and service counters, adding them to the list of damaged airport property. Chinese news outlets later confirmed that approximately 10 check-in kiosks were affected within the terminal.
Airport staff and security personnel responded shortly after the chaotic scene started to unfold. In a statement provided to Hong Kong Free Press, a representative for the Airport Authority said airport staff and security warned the tourist to stop his destructive outburst. The statement added that police later “arrested the man and launched an investigation” into the incident.
According to reports, when law enforcement officers arrived, the man was detained and searched. The search reportedly led to the discovery of four Viagra pills in his backpack. He was subsequently taken into custody and charged with suspicion of criminal damage and drug possession because having Viagra is illegal unless prescribed by a doctor. Footage of the rampage has since circulated widely online.
