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Forces clearing Lützerath
Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP
After the village of Lützerath was cleared, the energy company RWE announced that it would take civil action against the demonstrators.
"Of course, all disrupters have to expect a claim for damages," said company spokesman Guido Steffen of the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung".
However, it is not yet possible to quantify how high these could be.
There is still no final damage assessment in connection with the evacuation.
Lützerath, which belongs to Erkelenz near Düsseldorf and Cologne, was evacuated in a day-long large-scale police operation against the resistance of hundreds of climate activists.
RWE wants to mine lignite there.
According to the energy company, there was considerable property damage, including to the group's vehicles and systems.
In addition, several wells and switchgear were destroyed.
Most recently, two activists had exited a tunnel in which they had been waiting for days.
They were considered the last remaining activists on site.
In a press release, the RWE company wrote: "The two activists, who had barricaded themselves in a self-built tunnel for days, voluntarily ended their life-threatening situation after intensive discussions and left the tunnel." could have ended.
Allegations of violence from both sides
Demonstrators and emergency services had previously accused each other of using violence.
Activists said police used batons, pepper spray and water cannons during the evacuation.
The police deny the allegations.
Deployed police officers in turn reported that stones, bottles and pyrotechnics had been thrown at them.
A total of more than 70 police officers were injured, the police said.
RWE expects that coal mining under Lützerath could begin in a few weeks.
The demolition of the village itself should only take a few days.
"In March or April, the opencast mine could then reach the former village and excavate it." The police want to stay on site until the end of the dismantling.
lmd/dpa
