Protesters have stormed the fence at Tesla Gigafactory in Germany in the
latest blow to Elon Musk's embattled company.

It comes after Tesla told workers at the Berlin facility to stay home
Friday after environmental activists announced they would be staging
protests outside the site.

German newspaper Berliner Zeitung reports that some 1,200 people were
protesting outside on Friday morning, in the largest demonstration at the
plant to date.

According to the outlet, some demonstrators broke through police barriers
before being stopped by officers.

The EV giant, co-founded by billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, told
employees on Tuesday that work should stop late on Wednesday before
restarting late Sunday, The Washington Times reports.

READ MORE: Tesla 'competition prediction' comes true as EV maker's layoffs
may boost rivals

Thursday is a holiday in Germany, meaning Tesla staff are having a four-
day break.

Andre Thierig, senior manufacturing director at the Berlin plant wrote on
X, formerly Twitter, that the decision was made to close the factory on
Friday out of concern for the safety of employees.

It marked the second time Tesla has closed operations at the facility this
year. In March, a group of environmental activists reportedly claimed
responsibility for an explosion that destroyed a high-voltage electricity
pylon, cutting off the power supply to the factory.

According to reports, eco-activists have also been encamped in the forest
surrounding the facility for weeks.

Tesla opened the factory in Gruenheide, just outside Berlin, in March 2022
- launching a challenge to German automakers on their home turf.

Tesla wants to expand the facility to add a freight depot, warehouses and
a company kindergarten. Those plans would entail felling more than 100
hectares (247 acres) of forest.

That has drawn opposition from environmentalists and some other local
groups, who also worry about possible effects on the area's water supply.

In a nonbinding vote in mid-February, residents of the Gruenheide
municipality rejected Tesla's plans, which still need approval by local
authorities.

About 12,500 people work at the plant.

Tesla has been approached via email for comment.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/elon-musk-s-tesla-gigafactory-
stormed-by-dozens-of-masked-protesters/ar-BB1m9R2R