Thousands protest Terschelling gas extraction

More than 16,000 people signed a petition against the exploration and extraction of gas close to the West Frisian island of Terschelling, the action group GasTvrij Terschelling announced on Sunday. 

Dutch gas and oil company Tulip Oil wants to extract gas from a gas bubble three to six kilometers off the coast of the island. This has raised great resistance, among both residents and visitors.

Terschelling city council voted unanimously against gas extraction on the island last month.

Those supporting a ban on gas extraction in the region include environmental organizations, Dutch tourism board VVV, as well as the Frisian political factions of the CDA, GroenLinks and the SP.