Europe

Greenpeace apologizes after protester parachutes into Euro 2020 stadium, injuring two

Greenpeace is apologizing after two people were injured when a protester flying a paraglider parachuted into a stadium before Germany’s soccer game against France in the European Championship.

“We are in the process of clarifying this and are working with everyone and of course we take responsibility and would like to emphasize again that we’re very sorry, and that we apologize to the two people who were harmed,” Greenpeace spokesperson Benjamin Stephan said.

He said the protester had a technical problem with his paraglider that forced him to make an emergency landing at the stadium in Munich. He careened into the stadium, colliding with an overhead camera and causing debris to fall that narrowly missed hitting the manager of the French team, Didier Deschamps.

The protester had the slogan “KICK OUT OIL!” and “Greenpeace” written on his parachute.

Munich police said that two people working at the stadium sustained injuries from the crash and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities added that they were investigating the incident as a violation of the criminal code and aviation act, according to The Associated Press

UEFA said in an email to The Hill that Tuesday’s incident was an “inconsiderate act  which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending.” 

The game went on, with France defeating Germany 1-0.

—Updated at 2:43 p.m.