HUNDREDS of activists demanded urgent action from the Australian government to fight catastrophic wildfires, as they laid siege to the country’s London embassy today.

The demonstration, organised by Extinction Rebellion, was held in solidarity with mass protests across Australia.

The Australian High Commission on the Strand was surrounded by XR drummers, campaigners donning kangaroo costumes and huge vibrant flags resembling flames. 

XR said the protest was intended to “draw attention to the betrayal of the Australian government in failing to protect Australians from the bushfires.”

At least 24 people have died in the fires which started last September and hundreds of millions of animals have been killed as millions of acres of bush, parks and forests have burnt down.

Conservationist Dominic Dyer told the crowd: “Australia is a special country, it’s an island continent that’s been disconnected from the rest of the world for over 50 million years, so 80 per cent of its species are unique. Once they go, that’s it.

“We have to make these bushfires and Australia a lightning rod event and a wake-up moment for the rest of the world.”

Despite the magnitude of the blaze, the Australian government is still relying on volunteers to tackle the fires – without plans in place to offer them any compensation.

Among XR’s demands is for all firefighters to receive money and for the force to be fully funded. 

XR activist Emma Bayfield described Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, as “totally useless” and accused him of having an “outstanding level of denial” and “refusal to address the issue.” 

Claire Smart, who attended with her youngest daughter, Daisy, said she was “shocked” by the inaction of the government but also by the apathy of Brits. 

She said: “I feel like the people I speak to every day are oblivious to it. But this is why we need to be noisy.” 

NHS doctor Anna told the crowd of the lesser-known health effects of the fires.

She said: “I spoke to a doctor in Sydney yesterday – people who need oxygen to breathe have no choice except to come into hospital because their oxygen supplies need power. 

“Emergency departments are overwhelmed with people – especially babies and the elderly whose bodies just can’t cope with the heat.”

Australia is one of the world’s biggest per capita greenhouse gas emitters and has been criticised by the UN for setting dismally low targets for reducing emissions.