Greta Thunberg detained by police at a protest outside a western German village

• At a demonstration outside a town in western Germany, climate activist Greta Thunberg was taken into custody by police.
• She had been participating in a demonstration alongside campaigners.
• Coal burning, according to activists, undercuts Germany’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

At a demonstration outside a town in western Germany, climate activist Greta Thunberg was taken into custody by police.

She had been participating in a demonstration alongside campaigners to prevent the demolition of the abandoned community of Lützerath so that a coal mine could be expanded.

The BBC was informed by police that Ms. Thunberg was not detained and will be freed following an ID check.

According to authorities, a group “rushed towards the ledge” of the Garzweiler 2 mine before Ms. Thunberg was captured.

They further stated that after their identities had been verified, everyone who had been detained in the group would be freed without being charged.

Three police officers were seen bringing Ms. Thunberg away from the demonstration in a video taken on the spot.

One individual jumped into the mine, which is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Lützerath, according to police who spoke to a news agency.

Coal burning, according to activists, undercuts Germany’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the mine is located, has promised to advance the phase-out of coal to 2030. The country’s goal is 2038.

The region around Lützerath produces 25 million tons of lignite each year, the dirtiest type of coal.

The village, which was acquired by the energy company RWE after its occupants left, is anticipated to be the last one to be destroyed for the lignite mine.

The coal beneath the community will be required as early as this winter, according to the energy provider.

The protest’s organizers said that 35,000 people showed up on Saturday, however, the police estimated that there were more like 15,000 people.

According to police, they were successful in expelling all protestors from the town over the weekend. On camera on Sunday, Ms. Thunberg and other demonstrators could be seen being escorted by police.

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