UPDATED: Just Stop Oil activists block departure gates at Gatwick airport

Just Stop Oil protesters have used suitcases with lock-on devices to block departure gates at Gatwick airport.

Seven activists entered the airport's southern terminal at around 8am, the protest group said, adding "the situation is currently developing".

An image shared on the group's website appeared to show the protesters sitting on the floor inside the airport, blocking an entrance.

"As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure," the group said in a statement.

"This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world."

It comes after two Just Stop Oil activists were found guilty of criminal damage last week after throwing soup over Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting.

Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, both aged 22, threw a can of Heinz tomato soup over the masterpiece at the National Gallery in London in October 2022.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

(c) Sky News 2024: Just Stop Oil activists block departure gates at Gatwick airport

UPDATE (Monday, July 29, 9.34am)

Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested at Gatwick airport after using suitcases with lock-on devices to try and block a departure gate.

Seven activists entered the airport's southern terminal at around 8am, the protest group said, as an image showed the protesters sitting on the floor and blocking an entrance.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said at around 9.15am that the airport "is open and operating normally today", adding: "There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport."

Video posted by Just Stop Oil also shows travellers walking over the activists, whose hands were seen inside the lock-on devices.

"As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil  supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure," the group said in a statement.

"This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world."

The group added the protest at Gatwick comes as part of the international campaign Oil Kills, and said 21 groups across 12 countries have demonstrated at 17 airports so far.

Just Stop Oil said the international campaign follows reports that the world saw its hottest days on record two days in a row ast week.

It comes after two Just Stop Oil activists were found guilty of criminal damage last week after throwing soup over Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting.

Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, both aged 22, threw a can of Heinz tomato soup over the masterpiece at the National Gallery in London in October 2022.