Police received a report at around 4pm that a male passenger on a ferry from Cheung Chau Island to Central was wielding weapons, after which they deployed multiple units to inspect the boat.

Officers armed with guns and bullet-proof vests rushed to Central Pier 5, where the ferry was reported to have moored and locked down the scene to launch their search operation.

Passengers on board were asked to stay in their seats, raise their hands and not talk to each other.

After about 25 minutes of searching, no suspicious person was found, and the passengers were allowed to get off the ferry.

Marine police, at the same time, blocked the waters off the coast but failed to find any suspect.