Climate activist Greta Thunberg detained in the Netherlands

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined protests in The Hague, Netherlands, against fossil fuel subsidies.

The protest turned into a confrontation after Dutch police blocked activists attempting to close off a main road.

Thunberg, 21, who was attempting to block the A12 motorway leading to The Hague along with other activists, was detained by police. Although she was released shortly after, her freedom was short-lived. The Swedish activist returned to the protesters and joined a demonstration to block the road leading to the train station. Greta Thunberg was detained once again and placed into a police vehicle. The activist was held in custody for several hours and released in the evening.

"WE WILL NOT WATCH PEOPLE BECOME CLIMATE REFUGEES"

In a statement made before her second detention, Thunberg said she was participating in the protests because the world is facing an existential crisis, stating, "We are in a planetary emergency and we will not stand by and watch while people lose their lives and livelihoods and are forced to become climate refugees when we can do something."

The Dutch police later announced that 412 people had been detained during the demonstrations.