A disturbing incident on a late-night bus in Hong Kong has raised public health concerns after a man was seen scraping his infected foot for approximately 30 minutes, causing blood, pus, and skin flakes to scatter throughout the vehicle.
The event occurred on April 14, 2026, around 11:45 p.m., when a passenger identified only as Mr. Y boarded CityBus route 118 at the Mong Kok Bank Centre bus stop, heading toward Siu Sai Wan on Hong Kong Island. As the bus traveled along Tanner Road, a man estimated to be in his sixties entered the upper deck and began muttering to himself about the cold air and low passenger count before repeatedly changing seats.
Mr. Y initially paid little attention but was later awakened by a sharp, repetitive scratching sound. Upon turning around, he witnessed the man pulling up his trouser leg and using nail clippers to scrape at his right foot, which appeared to be severely affected by a skin condition. The foot was covered in visible blood stains and what looked like pus-filled lesions.
According to Mr. Y’s account, the man seemed to be attempting to relieve intense itching by grinding away at the skin, possibly to rupture blisters or ease discomfort from bleeding. Skin flakes from the man’s foot were visibly floating in the air and landing on nearby surfaces, though other passengers either failed to notice or chose not to intervene due to discomfort or fatigue.
The behavior continued for about half an hour, during which time many riders avoided confrontation, opting instead to look away or remain silent despite finding the scene deeply unsettling. Mr. Y discreetly recorded the incident on his mobile phone and later submitted the footage exclusively to a local media outlet for public awareness.
While no medical diagnosis was confirmed in the report, the visible symptoms — including open wounds, discharge, and excessive skin shedding — suggest a potentially infectious or inflammatory dermatological condition that could pose hygiene risks in confined public spaces.
This case underscores the importance of public awareness regarding communicable skin conditions and the demand for respectful, safe intervention when unsanitary behaviors occur in shared transportation environments.
