Hong Kong Airport cancels all departure flights amid protests at terminal

Bangkok : Hong Kong airport ran under chaos for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, forcing airlines to cancel all departure flights, as demonstrators extended their standoff with authorities who have been unable to quell months of dissent.

Post mass cancellations on last evening, flights have been returning to normalcy on Tuesday, even as thousands of black-clad demonstrators returned to occupy the terminal with placards denouncing police brutality and calling for freedom for Hong Kong.

By late afternoon, the protesters turned violent, stopping the passengers from reaching the departure gates, causing long lines, airport authorities said they were suspending check-in at both terminals.

Arguments erupted between frustrated passengers and protesters, with some stranded passengers crying and saying they just wanted to get home.

International calls grew, meanwhile, for authorities in Hong Kong and China to dial back tensions in the city.

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet urged authorities to immediately investigate police use of force in their recent crackdown on protesters. Her spokesman said there was "credible evidence" to suggest that Hong Kong law enforcement officials had used less-than-lethal force in ways that are "prohibited by international norms and standards."