Published: Just now
A violent riot is going on right now near the German town of Lützerath.
The protests are about a coal mine.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, 20, is at the scene.
This afternoon, protesters have fought with the police in the German city of Lützerath. This is reported by the German newspapers Picture and Der Spiegel.
Riot-equipped police supported by cars with water cannons are currently trying to push back the protesters on the site.
Protests against lignite
Several people are at the edge of an open-pit mine, which according to the police on site, must be associated with a life-threatening situation.
“There is danger to your life and health,” the police tweeted earlier to the people at the scene.
There is a lignite mine on the site and residents have been evacuated from the town. The land belongs to the energy company that operates the mine.
The last resident of Lützerath sold his house to the energy company a few months ago,
Climate activists have for several years tried to prevent lignite mining by occupying houses in the village.
The Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (20) is present and participating in the demonstration.
Greta Thunberg gave a speech at the site
Speaking earlier today, she urged the protesters and climate activists to persevere.
– There are 35,000 people in Lützerath right now, she said, according to Der Spiegel.
– You are change, you are hope. What happens in Lützerath does not stay in Lützerath, Thunberg said and continued:
– The coal is still in the ground, we are still here, Lützerath is still here. As long as the coal remains in the ground, the fight is not over. We have no plans to give up, she said according to Der Spiegel.
At least one injured
The police have now closed the area. No people are to enter or leave the area, not even journalists, the German press reports.
Several protesters must be masked. It has previously been reported that they threw mud and firecrackers at the police
At least one person is said to have been injured in the clashes.