Ukraine police storm main protest camp in Kiev in deadliest day of uprising

The Ukrainian police have stormed the main protest camp in the capital, Kiev, which has been occupied since November.

Explosions took place and large fires broke out in Independence Square, known locally as the Maidan.

On Tuesday at least 18 people were killed, including seven policemen, in the worst violence seen in weeks.

According to the BBC, opposition leaders later met President Viktor Yanukovych but failed to find a solution to the crisis.

The president had given the protesters only one option - leave the Maidan and go home, Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the opposition Udar (Punch) party, said.

Exactly a month ago, the nation was shocked by the deaths of protesters during clashes with riot police in central Kiev.

On Tuesday Ukrainians again saw dead bodies strewn on the city streets and dozens others injured people.

The authorities have shut down the city's metro service because of danger of 'terror acts', and there were reports that cars were being prevented from coming in to the capital.

Police earlier blocked protesters as they tried to march on parliament.

Pro-EU protesters demanded his resignation and snap elections, the report added.