HONG KONG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong police said that as the rampage expanded to numerous districts in Hong Kong on Wednesday, some rioters even set fire to petrol stations, risking causing explosions.

The rampage plagued various districts in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning, and caused chaos to many residential and commercial areas. Rioters threw petrol bombs at moving vehicles, train compartments and metro station platforms, and also recklessly set street fires, Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) Tse Chun-chung said at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon.

"Double-decker buses were set alight. Some rioters even set fire to petrol stations, a highly dangerous act that would have caused explosions," he added.

Tse pointed out that the rioters' intention was to bring Hong Kong into a total breakdown. "No excuse can justify or glorify this madness."

Tse said, "If someone breaks the law, regardless of where you hide, the police have lawful powers to come after the offenders and bring them to justice. No excuse, no political demand can spare anyone from legal liability."

Appealing to members of the public to respect the rule of law, he said, "Everyone in Hong Kong has the responsibility to end violence right now."

According to Senior Superintendent of PPRB Kong Wing-cheung on Wednesday, the police arrested on Tuesday a total of 142 people, including 97 males and 45 females, aged between 14 and 50. Their offenses include unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons and criminal damage. Enditem

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