Climate activists are seen in Luetzerath, who are occupying environmental activists. In order to excavate the coal under Luetzerath, RWE will demolish the village on the Erkelenz area at the Garzweiler II open-cast lignite mine. Federico Gambarini/dpaGerman police plan to continue the clearing of the mining village of Lützerath in western Germany on Sunday after a quiet night.
The tiny village – long abandoned by its residents – is occupied by a small number of activists who have remained opposed to the expansion of lignite mining in the area by the energy company RWE.
Police, who began clearing the site on Wednesday, were on regular patrols. Firefighters were checking a ventilation device in a tunnel where two activists are said to be holding out.
“During the course of the day [the clearing operation] it will continue,” a spokesperson said. “Some trees are still being reviewed.”
According to the police, only a few activists remain in Lützerath. According to an activist on the ground, around 20 people are still there.
Much of the site was illuminated early in the morning, DPA reporters said. Excavators entered the site to demolish other buildings.
On Saturday, many thousands of people demonstrated against the eviction and demolition of Lützerath in the nearby village of Keyenberg, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
On the sidelines of the demonstration there were clashes between protesters and police.
Police officers stand in Luetzerath in front of the building that is supposed to be the entrance to the tunnel where two climate activists are holed up. In order to excavate the coal under Luetzerath, RWE will demolish the village on the Erkelenz area at the Garzweiler II open-cast lignite mine. Federico Gambarini/dpa
An excavator continues to demolish a farm in Luetzerath, which is occupied by climate activists. In order to excavate the coal under Luetzerath, RWE will demolish the village on the Erkelenz area at the Garzweiler II open-cast lignite mine. Federico Gambarini/dpa
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