July 30, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 26, 1429

BEIJING: Scores of Chinese air passengers smashed computers and desks and clashed with police on Tuesday after a night stranded at an airport without accommodation, state media said.

More than 170 passengers were due to leave Kunming, capital of southwestern Yunnan province, on three flights operated by China Southern Airlines late on Monday, but the flights were cancelled due to bad weather, Xinhua news agency said.

“All the passengers had to spend the night on the planes or in the departure hall,” Xinhua said. “No one came to tend to their food and board.”

The passengers clashed with airport police Tuesday morning, smashing computers and desks, Xinhua said, blaming the melee on China Southern staff’s “inappropriate working attitude”.

At around 2 am, many of the passengers including toddlers and people over 60 took taxis to a hotel where China Southern said they could stay, only to be turned away once they arrived, Xinhua said.—Reuters