HONG KONG (AP) — The Latest on the Hong Kong protests (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

Hong Kong's Education Bureau has suspended classes at primary and secondary schools because of violence and described the situation in the city as "chilling."

The bureau also appealed for "school children to stay at home, not to hang around in the streets, to stay away from danger, and not to participate in illegal activities."

Many of the masked people taking part in the protests are thought to be high school and university students.

The bureau said schools would still be open while classes were suspended Wednesday and Thursday and teachers should show up at work in case some parents sent their children to classes.

It added that schools should ensure the safety of children who did attend.

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11 a.m.

Police have increased security around Hong Kong and its university campuses as they brace for more violence after sharp clashes overnight with anti-government protesters.

Many subway and rail stations were closed Wednesday after the protesters blocked commutes and vandalized trains. Classes were suspended at schools and universities.

Police and protesters battled on multiple fronts overnight at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Gasoline bombs and fires lit the nighttime scene, and the situation remained tense in the morning.

A police official said protesters were carrying out insane acts and Hong Kong was on the brink of a total breakdown after more than five months of protests.