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Greenpeace protesters climbing up The Shard in London Greenpeace protesters reach summit of The Shard in London
(about 4 hours later)
Six protesters are attempting to scale the tallest building in western Europe, The Shard. Protesters attempting to scale the tallest building in western Europe, The Shard, have reached its summit.
Police said the group accessed the building in central London by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station in the early hours. Once at the top, two of the campaigners unfurled a giant blue flag with "Save the Arctic" written in white across it.
Greenpeace said it was protesting against Shell's Arctic drilling, which the oil company said was "not new". Greenpeace said it was protesting against plans to drill in the Arctic by the oil company Shell, although the firm said drilling there was "not new".
The viewing platform has been closed to visitors for the safety of the public and protesters. Six climbers accessed the central London building by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station.
The Shard skyscraper stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys. It took the women 16 hours to reach the top of the building after they started their ascent in the early hours of the morning.
The viewing platform in the skyscraper has been closed to visitors for the safety of the public and protesters.
The Shard stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys.
Ladder-like structure
A Shard spokesman said the building's emergency response team had advised that "The View" - the platform on floors 68, 69 and 72 which gives a view of London from 800ft (244m) up - should be closed with immediate effect.A Shard spokesman said the building's emergency response team had advised that "The View" - the platform on floors 68, 69 and 72 which gives a view of London from 800ft (244m) up - should be closed with immediate effect.
"We apologise to guests for the inconvenience caused and The View will be pleased to honour their tickets either later on today or on a different date," he said."We apologise to guests for the inconvenience caused and The View will be pleased to honour their tickets either later on today or on a different date," he said.
The spokesman added all three restaurants and offices in the building remained open.The spokesman added all three restaurants and offices in the building remained open.
BBC reporter Jonathan Savage, who was at the scene, said the women were climbing the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and were using ropes. BBC reporter Jonathan Savage, who was at the scene, said the group climbed the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and used ropes.
Police and ambulance teams remained at the scene. Greenpeace said the climbers had crossed the half-way mark. Police and ambulance teams remained at the scene.
It added the location was chosen because it sits in the middle of the oil company's three headquarters and because the building was "modelled on a shard of ice". Greenpeace said the location was chosen because it sits in the middle of Shell's three headquarters and because the building was "modelled on a shard of ice".
A spokesman said the climbers were all well trained and it was difficult but not dangerous. If they manage to get to the top of the building, they plan on installing a piece of art. A spokesman said the climbers were all well trained and it was difficult but not dangerous.
The demonstrators are live-streaming the climb from helmet cameras, with birds-eye views of their ascent being broadcast.The demonstrators are live-streaming the climb from helmet cameras, with birds-eye views of their ascent being broadcast.
'Nerve-shredding'
Greenpeace wants the area around the North Pole to be made a global sanctuary, off limits to industrialisation.Greenpeace wants the area around the North Pole to be made a global sanctuary, off limits to industrialisation.
One climber, Victoria Henry, 32, a Canadian living in Hackney, said: "We'll try to hang a huge art installation 310m up that will make Shell think twice before sending their rigs into the Arctic.
"It's going to be really hard work, it's going to be nerve-shredding for all of us and we may not succeed, but we're going to do everything we can to pull it off.
"Millions of people have called on Shell to get out of the Arctic but they're still trying to drill there anyway.
"If we reach the top we'll be able to see all three of Shell's London offices below us, meaning they'll be able to see us. Maybe then they'll stop ignoring the movement ranged against them."
In a tweet, she said: "Update. Still safe, still hanging on. Not gonna lie, it's exhausting."
In a statement, Shell said: "We respect the right of individuals and organisations to engage in a free and frank exchange of views about our operations.In a statement, Shell said: "We respect the right of individuals and organisations to engage in a free and frank exchange of views about our operations.
"Recognising the right of individuals to express their point of view, we only ask that they do so with their safety and the safety of others, including Shell personnel and customers in mind.""Recognising the right of individuals to express their point of view, we only ask that they do so with their safety and the safety of others, including Shell personnel and customers in mind."
High-wire team
On the Arctic, it said oil and gas production from the Arctic "was not new".On the Arctic, it said oil and gas production from the Arctic "was not new".
Safety briefing
"The Arctic region currently produces about 10% of the world's oil and 25% of its gas."The Arctic region currently produces about 10% of the world's oil and 25% of its gas.
"If responsibly developed, Arctic energy resources can help offset supply constraints and maintain energy security for consumers throughout the world."If responsibly developed, Arctic energy resources can help offset supply constraints and maintain energy security for consumers throughout the world.
"Shell has been operating in the Arctic and sub-Arctic since the early 20th Century, giving us the technical experience and know-how to explore for and produce oil and gas responsibly.""Shell has been operating in the Arctic and sub-Arctic since the early 20th Century, giving us the technical experience and know-how to explore for and produce oil and gas responsibly."
The BBC reporter at the scene said the Shard had members of its high-wire team giving the women a health and safety briefing as they climbed the building.The BBC reporter at the scene said the Shard had members of its high-wire team giving the women a health and safety briefing as they climbed the building.
A Shard spokesman said: "Our primary focus is on the safety of the protestors and the workers and visitors to the building.
"We are working with the relevant authorities to try to ensure the safety of those concerned."
The Qatari-owned building, which was opened in February, contains offices, restaurants, a hotel and residential apartments.The Qatari-owned building, which was opened in February, contains offices, restaurants, a hotel and residential apartments.