Up to 200 anti-government protesters remain barricaded inside a Hong Kong university, surrounded by police, as the standoff continues for a third day.
Those inside Polytechnic University are said to be running low on supplies.
Protesters have been inside the campus since last week, initially stopping police from entering by lighting fires and throwing petrol bombs.
Police say adults who leave will be arrested, leaving some too scared to leave.
Hundreds of protesters tried to run from the campus on Monday, but many were hit with tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested.
On Tuesday, police revealed on Monday alone at the campus they used:
- 1,458 tear gas canisters
- 1,391 rubber bullets
- 325 bean bag rounds
- 265 sponge bullets
A small group managed to leave using rope ladders before being picked up and driven away by motorcyclists.
Those arrested could be charged with rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 (14:00 GMT) to leave the campus.
Police later moved in, surrounding the campus, leading to protesters throwing petrol bombs and firing stones from catapults.
The violence at PolyU is one of the biggest flare-ups Hong Kong has seen since protests broke out in June.
The mostly young protesters have five key demands, including an investigation into police brutality and universal suffrage.
But underpinning it all is the fear Hong Kong’s unique identity is threatened by China.
Tensions now could be further inflamed after China condemned a decision by Hong Kong’s high court to overturn a ban on facemasks.
An estimated 100 to 200 protesters still remain in PolyU, authorities have said.
One protester called Jeff told the BBC that he was hiding in a building on the campus.
“I have been trapped inside Polytechnic University for two days and food and water is running out,” he said.
“Most people tried to get out of this hell-like place, most of them tried to escape but ended in failure, being arrested or wounded or something.”
“I didn’t expect this incident to get so desperate in here. The campus is so desperate and I am not well prepared. I would call it a disaster.”
He said his parents were concerned for his safety and he had told them he would make it out.
A handful of protesters have been trickling out of the university, some suffering from hypothermia and leg injuries, according to news site SCMP.
One protester said he had decided to come out because of “hunger and cold”, adding that many inside were “hurt without enough medical supplies”.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui had earlier said protesters did not have enough supplies to “last another day”.
Another 16-year-old protester told Reuters that she had chosen to “surrender”.
“We have been trying to escape since yesterday morning. But then we couldn’t find a way out [and] were afraid of being charged,” she said. “This is the only way… I was quite desperate.”
A total of 600 protesters have now left the campus, according to Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, more than 200 students below the age of 18 left, accompanied by education officials including high school principals.
Those under the age of 18 had their identities recorded and were let go. Adults were arrested.
Ms Lam called on all protesters to surrender, saying no violence would happen if they came “out in a peaceful manner”.
However, she said police would have to take “necessary action” if that changed. Separately on Tuesday, Hong Kong’s new police chief took office.
Chris Tang said the force was not able to end the protests alone, saying the unrest would only end if society condemned the violence.
