Three Hong Kong protesters jump to their deaths after slamming Chinese oppression amid city’s unrest

Three protesters in Hong Kong have jumped to their deaths in the last three weeks amid a protest movement against the city’s Beijing-backed government and a controversial extradition bill.

The deaths had included suicide notes criticising Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and supporting the anti-extradition bill demonstrations.

Over the past month millions of Hong Kong residents, unnerved by China’s tightening grip over the city, have taken to the streets to voice their opposition against the bill that would allow suspects to be sent to the mainland for trial. 

Last Saturday, a 21-year-old female university student surnamed Lo (right) jumped from a high-rise apartment building in Fanling district. On a wall (left) of the building’s 24th floor she had daubed the words: ‘Against extradition to China’

The following day a 29-year-old clerk and former kindergarten teacher identified on social media as Zhita Wu (above) jumped from a footbridge near the IFC mall in Central district

The first death happened on June 15, when a 35-year-old man with the surname Leung jumped from a construction scaffolding outside Pacific Mall in Admiralty district. 

Leung, wearing a yellow raincoat, had unfurled a banner demanding for the full withdrawal of the extradition bill, the release of arrested protesters and the resignation of Carrie Lam. An inflatable mattress was placed on the ground to break his fall but he had missed it. 

Last Saturday, a 21-year-old female university student surnamed Lo jumped from a high-rise apartment building in Fanling district. On a wall of the building’s 24th floor she had daubed the words: ‘Against extradition to China’.

Leung, wearing a yellow raincoat, had unfurled a banner demanding for the full withdrawal of the extradition bill, the release of arrested protesters and the resignation of Carrie Lam. An inflatable mattress was placed on the ground to break his fall but he had missed it

People pay their respects to Leung, who had fallen to his death from the scaffolding on June 15

The message, written in red and addressed to Hong Kongers, read: ‘We strongly demand the full withdrawal of the bill, the retraction of the ‘riot’ label, the release of [arrested] students and protesters, the resignation of Carrie Lam, and punishment of the police.’ 

The following day a 29-year-old clerk and former kindergarten teacher identified on social media as Zhita Wu jumped from a footbridge near the IFC shopping mall in Central district. 

‘Keep it up, Hong Kong,’ she wrote in a final message on Facebook. ‘I wish I could see your victory. I can’t be there on July 1. Everything makes me feel that there is no tomorrow.’ 

The three were referred to as ‘martyrs.’ 

Over the past month millions of Hong Kong residents, unnerved by China’s tightening grip over the city, have taken to the streets to voice their opposition against the bill that would allow suspects to be sent to the mainland for trial

People attend a vigil at a makeshift altar for Leung who fell to his death during a protest

At least two suicide attempts on Wednesday went viral online, sparking city-wide manhunts and fears of copycat behaviour among Hong Kong’s young people.

Suicide prevention group Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong told MailOnline that it had received 50 calls for help between June 1 and July 4. All the calls were related to the government’s controversial extradition bill. 

Paul Yip Siu-fai, director of the Centre for Suicide Prevention at the University of Hong Kong, told South China Morning Post that ‘the whole society has fallen into hysteria due to a volcanic eruption of the deep-seated identity crisis triggered by the bill.’

‘People are upset, worrying about the safety of others and feeling uncertain about their own life. I have never seen Hongkongers so unsettled and troubled by the feeling that nothing is under control,’ he said, adding that such factors could lead to an outbreak of extreme acts. 

In an unprecedented escalation of tactics, several hundred demonstrators besieged and vandalised the Hong Kong legislature on Monday following a demonstration against the bill. 

In an unprecedented escalation of tactics, several hundred demonstrators besieged and vandalised the Hong Kong legislature on Monday following a demonstration against the bill

Suicide prevention group Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong told MailOnline that it had received 50 calls for help between June 1 and July 4. All the calls were related to the government’s controversial extradition bill

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, since when it has been governed under a ‘one country, two systems’ formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom to protest and an independent judiciary.

But many accuse China of increased meddling over the years, obstructing democratic reforms, interfering with elections and of being behind the disappearance of five Hong Kong-based booksellers who specialised in works critical of Chinese leaders.

Opponents of the extradition bill fear it would put them at the mercy of Chinese courts, controlled by the Communist Party, with a record of arbitrary detentions, torture and other human rights violations.

If you, or someone you know, are having suicidal thoughts, help is available. For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. For support in Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services.