Hong Kong International Airport cancelled all departures on Monday, as thousands of anti-government protesters occupied and caused disruption.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

Passengers have been told not to travel to the airport, which is one of the world's busiest transport hubs.

In a statement, officials blamed "seriously disrupted" operations.

Many of those protesting are critical of the actions of police, who on Sunday were filmed firing tear gas and rubber bullets at close range.

Some protesters wore bandages over their eyes in response to images of a woman bleeding heavily from her eye on Sunday, having reportedly been shot by a police projectile.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, Hong Kong's Airport Authority said they were cancelling all flights that were not yet checked in.

More than 160 flights scheduled to leave after 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) will now not depart.

Arrivals already heading into Hong Kong will still be allowed to land, but other scheduled flights have been cancelled.

Officials are now working to reopen the airport by 06:00 on Tuesday, a statement said.