Migrants Set Hong Kong Office Ablaze

Migrants from mainland China set Hong Kong’s immigration headquarters on fire Wednesday in an effort to avoid being sent home, authorities said. About 47 people were injured, including several with severe burns.

Ambrose Lee, the territory’s director of immigration, said about 20 migrants were asked to leave a 13th-floor area where they had gone seeking documents. Instead, they poured flammable liquid on the floor and set the area ablaze.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities. Police said early today that they had arrested four men and two women and were questioning them.

“We reserve the right to take legal action against those who broke the law,” said Regina Ip, Hong Kong’s secretary for security. She said she was “shocked and angered,” adding that the government refuses to be pressured in its dealings with any residency claims.

Some victims were taken from the building on stretchers, and government-owned Radio Hong Kong said several people were burned severely.

Immigration from mainland China to Hong Kong has been the most delicate issue confronting the territory since it reverted from British to Chinese rule three years ago.

The Hong Kong government has fought to limit the number of mainlanders who can move into the affluent capitalist haven--and hundreds have battled in court to try to stay.

Although Hong Kong is now part of China, strict border controls remain in place, keeping out mainland residents who believe that they could have a better life here.

Lee said the migrants involved in Wednesday’s attack had been to the immigration building before.

“In the past three months, they came 17 times, making themselves a nuisance,” Lee said. “We explained to them if they want to apply for an ID card, they must apply according to the law and they should not resort to violence.”