A male passenger in his 40s allegedly beat up a 24-year-old taxi driver in Hong Kong after he was asked to stop smoking inside the cab.
The assault reportedly left the driver bleeding from his mouth and nose.
Subsequently, the police have launched a search for the passenger involved.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred at around 11.35pm on Tuesday (10 Nov) in Kowloon City.
The driver, surnamed Tam (name transliterated from Mandarin), had picked up a male passenger on Sai Yeung Choi Street South and was taking him to Kowloon City Plaza.
Source: HK01
During the journey, the passenger allegedly began smoking inside the taxi.
Mr Tam asked him to stop, resulting in an argument between the two.
Footage circulating online showed the taxi stopped along Junction Road near Prince Edward Road West.
A man dressed in white could be seen standing outside the vehicle and repeatedly striking the driver, with loud thuds audible in the video.
Source: HK01
The passenger, believed to be around 40 years old, allegedly fled afterwards.
Mr Tam suffered bleeding from his mouth and nose and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
Police have classified the case as “assault causing bodily harm” and are searching for the passenger.
Smoking inside Hong Kong taxis is prohibited under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance.
Anyone caught smoking in a statutory no-smoking area or on public transport will face a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (S$500).
Source: HK01
Taxi drivers are among those authorised to enforce the smoking restriction.
Furthermore, a person convicted of “assault causing bodily harm” can face up to three years’ imprisonment under Section 39 of Hong Kong’s Offences Against the Person Ordinance.
Also read: Taxi driver hit on head with bread knife at Bedok coffee shop after shouting for coffee
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Featured image adapted from HK01.