Around the World: United Kingdom

Tube party ends in mayhem

Police arrested 17 people and had to close six London subway stations after a party involving thousands of revelers to mark the last day of drinking alcohol on the tube turned ugly.

Six assaults were reported on underground rail staff and police. Several damaged trains had to be withdrawn from service on a night of mayhem that had been dubbed "Last Round on the Underground" by revelers.

The festivities were at first good-natured with partygoers. But police moved in when the mood turned sour and fighting erupted, spoiling what officers had called "a fun event."

(China Daily 06/02/2008 page6)