Greta Thunberg detained by police at German coal protest

Greta Thunberg detained by police at German coal protest

Police officers lead Greta Thunberg out of a group of protesters and activists and away from the edge of the Garzweiler II opencast lignite mine on Jan. 17. Photo: Federico Gambarini/picture alliance via Getty Images

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained by police at a protest Tuesday in western Germany, but released following an identity check, multiple outlets reported.

Driving the news: Thunberg alongside other activists has been protesting the planned demolition of coal mining town Lützerath to make way for a coal mine expansion.

Details: Thunberg was participating in a sit-in near the edge of the mine on Tuesday when she and other activists were detained. One activist had jumped into the mine, Reuters reported.

The big picture: Lützerath has become a symbol of the climate movement in Germany. It's been occupied by protesters in recent years years after the town's residents were evicted to make way for the coal mine's long-planned expansion, CNN reported.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

Full Article