Police say dispute began over a basketball attraction as investigators believe the girl’s mother slapped the 68‑year‑old first
1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenDanny MokPublished: 6:39pm, 27 Aug 2026Three women have been charged after a brawl broke out in a children’s play area at a Hong Kong shopping centre, igniting heated debate across the city.
Police released new details of their investigation on Thursday, saying the 68‑year‑old woman seen in a viral video slapping a young girl was struck first.
Footage widely circulated online shows the elderly woman, who was visiting the play zone with her 34‑year‑old daughter and grandson, forcefully shoving a five‑year‑old girl before slapping her, causing the child to lose her balance and fall in the atrium of the APM shopping centre in Kwun Tong at about 4.45pm on Wednesday.
The girl’s 34‑year‑old mother then rushed forward to confront the younger woman, leading to further scuffles.
At one point, the boy’s mother confronted the girl’s mother while holding an umbrella, saying: “You cannot leave.”
Two men intervened at different stages, with one confronting the elderly woman and shouting: “Did you just hit a child? I saw you.”
Police stepped in and later arrested all three women.
