Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Here is an Education Bureau special announcement concerning schools:

     Since students' attendance of school may be affected by abnormal traffic conditions in the Wan Chai and Central and Western districts today (July 2), the Education Bureau suggests that schools adopt contingency measures under school-based mechanisms and exercise flexibility when handling individual students' lateness or absence.

     The bureau calls on schools to make suitable arrangements, take proper care of students on campus, maintain communication with parents and, when class is dismissed, allow students to return home only under safe conditions.
   

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

     The Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (July 1) issued the following statement against the violent storming of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex.

     Hong Kong is a society that respects the rule of law, and has no tolerance for violence. The ExCo Non-official Members strongly condemn protesters who violently stormed the LegCo Complex. Their ruthless and destructive behavior amount to a complete disregard of the law and has seriously undermined Hong Kong's fine tradition of the rule of law.

     In the face of the protesters' violent acts, the ExCo Non-official Members render their support for the Police in taking the offenders to task and bringing them to justice to safeguard public order.

     The Fire Services Department (FSD) received the report of gas attack at an entrance of the Legislative Council Complex at 3.34pm today (July 1), with policemen felt unwell after inhaling of smoke. The FSD deployed five fire appliances and three ambulances to the scene. Two policemen were sent to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment.

     As white powder was found at the scene, the FSD deployed the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team to handle the incident. The HazMat Team detected that the white powder was p-phenylenediamine (dangerous goods in category 4).

     P-phenylenediamine is a poisonous substance. After a long exposure, it may cause itchy eyes, skin redness and swelling, and shortness of breath. Inhalation of large amounts of the substance may also cause serious skin and respiratory tract burns.

A group of rioters charged the Legislative Council Complex (Complex) today (July 1) and severely damaged the building and its facilities by mills barriers, iron poles and sundries. At around 9pm, the rioters vandalized the facilities after dashing into the Complex.

Police severely condemn the rioters’ behavior of storming the Complex today. Owing to the violent activities of the rioters, Police warn that dispersal action will soon be taken in the vicinity of the Complex. Police will use appropriate level of force in case their actions are met with obstruction or resistance. Police also urge protestors to leave the vicinity of the Complex immediately.

     In response to media enquiries regarding protestors scattering unknown powder at police officers, the Police spokesperson today (July 1) replied as follows:
      
     A group of violent protestors stormed the Legislative Council Complex by mills barriers, iron poles and miscellaneous objects this afternoon, leaving the complex facilities seriously damaged. During the period, some protestors scattered unknown powder at police officers at scene, causing some of them to feel unwell.   Initial inspection by the Fire Services Department confirmed the unknown powder is slightly toxic and prolonged contact will lead to swollen and sensitive skin.  Large amount of water is required to cleanse and decontaminate the substance.
      
     Feeling unwell, two police officers were sent to hospital after getting in touch with the powder at the Legislative Council Complex.  They were discharged after treatment and decontamination.
      
     Police severely condemn the protesters who used harmful powder to attack police officers. Police will conduct comprehensive investigation and follow up the case in stringent manner.