Abandoned tents and rubbish litter Pearl Square in Bahrain's capital Manama early on Thursday, after police stormed the square where thousands of pro-democracy protesters were camping out overnight.

There have been chaotic scenes at the main hospital in Manama as relatives of the dead and injured desperately search for their loved ones. Here, a mother comforts her injured son.

Witnesses also reported anger among the crowds flocking to the hospital. There was widespread shock at the way the protest was crushed.

Doctors at the hospital staged their own protest after the overnight crackdown resulted in a stream of casualties.

Manama was effectively shut down on Thursday as tanks and military checkpoints were set up for the first time since protests began. The army warned residents to stay away from the city centre.

Demonstrators said they received no warning about the police operation, which came at around 0300 (0000 GMT).

Tear gas and rubber bullets were reportedly used in the operation, which cleared protesters from the square.

One eyewitness said hundreds of riot police were involved in the operation.

The protesters' makeshift tents and camps were destroyed in the police operation. Many people were reported to have been asleep when police moved in.

Protesters took pictures of the violent response by the authorities to what they say was a peaceful event.

Bahraini women reacted angrily on Thursday morning to the violent crackdown.

Protesters outside the main Salmaniya hospital burned and defaced images of the Bahraini royal family.