Hundreds of Hong Kong student protesters who had barricaded themselves at a university attempted to flee the besieged campus early Monday, after an overnight standoff.

As the students made what appeared appeared to be a concerted effort to leave the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, they were chased by police who fired tear gas. VOA saw police arrest dozens of students, who were detained with plastic wire ties around their wrists. Some were marched in front of reporters as they were taken away.

Earlier police said they were arresting students on riot related charges.

It's not clear how many students remain on campus or how many have been arrested. The number of casualties also isn't clear. Police overnight had warned they would use lethal force if they continued to be attacked.

Student protesters in Hong Kong engaged in fierce clashes with police at a university campus early Monday in what appeared to be some of the worst violence since anti-government protests began five months ago.

Police advanced in waves throughout the night, firing tear gas and water cannons, as protesters lobbed petrol bombs and other weapons. At one point, an armored police vehicle appeared to be completely on fire.

Police eventually surrounded the campus and gave several deadlines for the protesters to exit the campus. Just after midnight local time, police warned they may use live rounds on protesters if they kept attacking the police.

There were no immediate reports of deaths. A group of international journalists, including some from VOA, stayed behind on the campus, with many vowing to stay until the situation was resolved.

Source : VOA