Hong Kong police have charged three women following a violent altercation in a shopping centre play area that sparked widespread public outrage across the city.

The confrontation, captured in a viral video, initially drew fierce condemnation after a 68-year-old grandmother was filmed forcefully shoving and slapping a five-year-old girl.

However, investigators revealed Thursday that the elderly woman was struck first before retaliating. All three adults involved now face prosecution as authorities urge parental restraint in public spaces.