Hong Kong was reeling on Sunday from some of the worst clashes to rock the city since unrest began three months ago after hardcore pro-democracy protesters hurled petrol bombs at police who fired tear gas and deployed water cannon, before making mass arrests inside train stations. Officers made 40 arrests at one station.

Police had banned a planned protest on security grounds, but tens of thousands Saturday marched through the city's main highways for the 13th consecutive weekend. The rally quickly descended into violent clashes with riot police which stretched into the early hours of Sunday. Some 31 people were admitted to hospital with injuries, including five who remain in a serious condition.