Dozens injured in Hong Kong from dropped acid

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Dozens of people in Hong Kong were hurt after two bottles containing an acidic liquid were dropped from a building into a busy commercial district on Saturday, said the police, which are investigating whether the act was intentional.

The 750 ml bottles containing an acidic and corrosive liquid exploded after hitting the ground, causing injuries and burns to 46 people, some of whom had to be treated in hospital before being released, a police spokeswoman said.

"After an initial investigation, we've determined two bottles containing a corrosive liquid were dropped from above," said Leona Leung at the Hong Kong Police Department.

"The matters is under investigation. So far nobody has been arrested," she added.

The liquid has been sent to the laboratory, and the police have not yet determined the contents, she added.

An unidentified man who witnessed the scene said people affected covered their eyes in pain, the South China Morning Post reported on Sunday. Other victims had holes in their clothings and backpacks, according to the newspaper.

The incident happened shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday in a bustling shopping district of Kowloon, across the city from the main Hong Kong island, which is usually clogged with tourists and shoppers.

(Reporting by Rafael Nam; Editing by Bill Tarrant)