Clearing of anti-coal activist camps halted after journalist falls to death
The government of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has stopped the clearing of anti-coal activist camps in Hambach Forest “until further notice” after a journalist fell to his death, writes Der Tagesspiegel. “We cannot simply return to business as usual,” said NRW interior minister Herbert Reul. According to the police, a journalist broke through a suspension bridge between two trees and fell 15 metres. He later died from his injuries. There was no police operation ongoing near the scene of the accident, according to a police statement. Clearing of the activist camps in the embattled Hambach Forest – which energy company RWE wants to cut down for the expansion of a nearby lignite mine – began on 13 September, and has overshadowed the ongoing talks in Germany’s coal exit commission.
Find the article in German and the police press release in German .
For background, read the 91tv article Germany’s coal commission insists no decision yet on exit date and the coal commission watch.