Riots over Star Ferry fare increase kill 1 as 1,800 arrested – SCMP archive

AdvertisementFrom our archivesHong KongSocietyOn This DayRiots over Star Ferry fare increase kill 1 as 1,800 arrested – SCMP archiveSixty years ago in April 1966, thousands of Hongkongers protested over planned 5-cent increase to Star Ferry ticket prices 4-MIN READ4-MIN ListenSCMPPublished: 9:00am, 7 Apr 2026These articles were first published on April 8, 1966. Quiet day explodes into violenceby SCMP reporter After a quiet but tense day, Kowloon and New Kowloon last night were again in the grip of riotous mobs, who roamed the streets of Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei uncontrolled, stoning buses and cars, setting fires to vehicles and buildings and challenging police and troops. For seven hours, they ran wild until two hours after the reimposition of the curfew when an uneasy quiet again returned. AdvertisementThe first incident occurred at 7pm (April 7, 1966) when a crowd of 200 people began to gather in Soy Street, Mong Kok. Police moved in immediately and arrested two men. The crowd dispersed. About 9pm, another crowd of about 150 gathered at the junction of Argyle Street and Nathan Road. Tear gas was used and police arrested eight people. AdvertisementThen, about 10pm, another crowd of about 150 people gathered in Argyle Street – between the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Building and the Gala Theatre. British Army Gurkha soldiers on riot control duty at Nathan Road, Kowloon, during the Star Ferry Riots, in April 1966.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x