Hong Kong police on Sunday repeatedly appealed for everyone to immediately leave Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and listen to police instructions, so as to ensure safety of everyone in the vicinity of the campus.

Earlier, rioters gathering at the PolyU set fire to the flyover connecting the campus and the Hung Hom MTR station, threatening the safety of everyone at scene.

Multiple explosions were heard, the police said, noting that the flames even dropped to the road under the flyover.  

In addition, rioters also threw petrol bombs towards police officers on Cheong Wan Road in order to stop police's dispersal operation.

The violent activities came after one member of the Force Media Liaison Cadre was injured after being hit in the calf by an arrow on the same day, as rioters continue to occupy roads outside the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong and charge at police officers using lethal weapons, including bricks, petrol bombs, bows, and arrows.

The wounded officer has been conveyed to the hospital in a conscious state, said the police.

"He was carrying out media liaison duties at that time, when a large group of journalists were reporting in the same area," noted the police, stressing that "such an attack poses a grave threat to the safety of every person at the scene."

Police severely condemned the violent acts of all rioters and are conducting dispersal and arrest operations. Due to the deteriorating situation, members of the public are advised to avoid entering the vicinity of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said the police.

At around the same time on Sunday, a metal ball hit another police officer's visor, right above his nose. The officer was not injured, said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government in a statement.

Police warn that the violent activities at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have escalated to rioting. Anyone who stays behind or assists rioters may be liable to the offence of "taking part in a riot," read the statement.

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