Hong Kong shares tank on fears over new variant

Hong Kong stocks plunged on Friday on fears about a new coronavirus variant that experts say could be more infectious and able to get around vaccines, with firms linked to travel and tourism among the worst hit.

The Hang Seng Index tanked 2.7 percent, or 659 points, to 24,080.

The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.6 percent, or 20 points, to 3,564, while the Shenzhen Composite Index slipped 0.2 percent, or 5 points, to 2,507. (AFP)