Pictures: Run on Bank of East Asia

The Bank of East Asia has denied rumours that it is in financial trouble, after thousands of customers queued for several hours to withdraw their savings in Hong Kong.

Speculation that the bank may have been in trouble is rumoured to have been started by text message, which was rapidly forwarded to others, leading to savers at BEA hitting the streets in a desperate attempt to withdraw their money. Scores of people were lined up at ATMs, and at branches around Hong Kong, with the police having to be called in at many locations to restore order and to control crowds.

BEA shares fell 11%. The claims have been denied by both BEA and the The Hong Kong Monetary Authority.