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Russia Retreats after Claimed Annexation; Over 100 Dead at Football Match; Florida Struggles to Recover after Hurricane Ian; Hurricane Orlene Strengthens, Approaching Mexico; Human Rights Groups Accuse Iranian Government of Excessive Force with Protesters. Aired 3- 4a ET

Aired October 02, 2022 - 03:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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LAILA HARRAK, CNNINT ANCHOR (voice-over): Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from the United States and all around the world. I'm Laila Harrak.

Ahead at this hour, chaos breaks out in a deadly riot, killing over 100, during a football game in Indonesia. We will have a live report for you.

Plus, Ukraine hoists its flag as Russia retreats from a key city, just one day after Putin proclaimed annexation of that very region.

And it is Election Day in Brazil in the coming hours. Brazilians decide their leader in a race charged with tensions and even violence.

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HARRAK: We are following a developing story out of Indonesia for you. Police say at least 129 people are dead and hundreds more injured after chaos and violence erupted at a football match between two of the country's biggest teams.

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HARRAK: You can see of this video, the clashes between fans and security forces. Authorities say a deadly stampede occurred after police fired tear gas into the crowd. (END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRAK: Well, CNN's senior international correspondent, Will Ripley, is following this story for you from Taipei.

Will, tragic scenes coming out of Indonesia.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And teargas is banned by FIFA, that is one detail we are learning as this is happening, explains why the Indonesian president is calling for an investigation, not in only into the way this match was held but the security procedures in place.

Because if police used a substance that is not supposed to be used in stadiums -- and we actually spoke a short time ago with an Indonesian sports journalist, someone who was covering this in real time, apparently once the teargas was fired, there was a gust of wind that blew it up into the stadium.

And that is what actually caused the mass panic that you saw in the social media videos that emerged. People terrified as they started breathing in and feeling almost a choking sensation. So that is when everybody decided to run for the exit.

They were running for a single exit gate, hundreds of people at once, trying to cram through an entryway that is not designed for that many people. Of course, that is what can cause these kinds of horrific events.

And we have seen previous stadium disasters, the most deadly was in Peru almost 60 year ago. But this is being called the second deadliest stadium disaster since they have been holding football matches in stadiums; 34 people were killed almost instantly, according to the police and the medical personnel in Indonesia.

But many others who were rushed to area hospitals, because you had 300 people in total who were either dead or on the scene or they tried to get them help, people were dying as they were on the way to the hospital. They died shortly after arriving to the hospital and more people have died while they were being treated.

We know the death toll, officially, is 129. But we are looking to confirm a number of reports that put that number significantly higher. We are obviously holding off on that, until we can get enough sourcing, because we want to be careful when we cover this sort of thing.

But the death toll of 129 within the next few hours, we expect to increase, possibly significantly. So that 180 number still being treated, that number goes down, the number of dead goes up.

This journalist I was speaking to also said the match last night was considered a high risk match, so the police knew a scuffle might break out, depending on the outcome. And that is why they tried to stop awaiting fans from getting into the stadium.

But it was a packed house. We are talking about 42,000 seats sold for a stadium that the Indonesian security minister said was only meant to hold 38,000, even though the official capacity, as stated online, is 42,500.

So if this stadium was, indeed, over capacity and police used tear gas, not supposed to be used in a setting like this, you can see how all of that is adding up to this horrific disaster.

HARRAK: CNN international correspondent, Will Ripley, reporting on this developing story. Thank you, Will, appreciate it.

On the set, Patrick Snell, from "WORLD SPORT."

Patrick, what has the reaction been to these horrific scenes? PATRICK SNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the wake of an unspeakable tragedy. Will made an important point on the use of the teargas. That is why we are waiting to hear back from FIFA, the world governing body on that very topic.

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SNELL: But we said at the top, these are two of the country's biggest teams, biggest rivals, two longtime rivals, contesting a football match. It was meant to be just that, a football match.

Instead, a tragic loss of life, now one of the world's worst stadium disasters. Look, we know there have been previous outbreaks and troubles at matches in Indonesia. Hugely passionate fan base over there, strong rivalries between the clubs.

In the past years, it has led to unrest and violence amongst fans. But here is what we are learning so far this Sunday, in terms of the reaction. We all know, all matches suspended as a result of this tragedy and also we now know that one of the teams was banned by the Indonesia FA from hosting games for the rest of the season.

Bear in mind, Indonesia is due to host the FIFA World Cup next year and it's also one of the three countries bidding to host the Asian Cup, after China pulled out as host.

In a statement earlier today, the Indonesian Association saying it regrets the actions of the supporters at the stadium and the incident had quote, tarnished the face of Indonesian football, adding, we are sorry and apologize to the families of the victims and all parties for the incident.

Brits partly met seen a statement risotto (ph) expressing its deep condolences for the disaster and that the team also saying it's to establish a crisis center of victim information post to receive reports and treat victims who were hospitalized to the families of the victims and management of Arema FC apologizing profusely and is ready to provide compensation.

While the other team, their opponents, Persebaya, also releasing a statement, saying, "Persebaya's big family expresses their deepest condolences for the loss of life after the Arema FC vs. Persebaya match. No life is worth football."

Those words really do resonate, do hit home; "No life is worth football."

HARRAK: Very poignant indeed. Put this in perspective for us in terms of other tragedies that happened in this way.

SNELL: We are still learning, we are still trying to seek so much about what happened, what is playing out here in Indonesia across this tragic weekend.

But look, each event, when you go back in history, when you go back over the decades, bringing with it tragedy, different circumstances, let's make that clear, but tragedies nonetheless.

Previous tragedies that come to mind from the world of football over the years, going back to April of 1989, the English FA Cup semifinal, between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, overcrowding in the stands in Sheffield, England, ultimately leading to the death of 97 Liverpool supporters following a crush.

And 21 years ago in Ghana, around 126 people killed in a stampede at a football stadium, when people fired tear gas at rioting supporters in one of Africa's worst football disasters.

And back in the 1960s, the Estadio Nacional disaster in Lima, over 300 fans losing their lives during an Olympic qualifying match between the Peruvian national team and Argentina.

I will say it once more, this Sunday, a day of unspeakable tragedy right there in Indonesia. With very heavy hearts, our prayers and thoughts are very much with those families there.

HARRAK: Thank you very much, Patrick.

All right, in Florida, at least 66 deaths have been reported from hurricane Ian, four days after the storm demolished parts of the state. Emergency crews have been going to the worst hit areas there, trying to find survivors and bring them to safety.

So far more than 1,000 people have been rescued and evacuated. That is according to the governor, who is pledging additional support, such as satellite internet service from Starlink.

He says devastated areas such as this one will soon have much-needed phone and online access right now. More than 1 million Florida customers are without power. Many of them also lack basic necessities, such as clean water and shelter.

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RICKEY ANDERSON, SANIBEL ISLAND RESIDENT: Can we get some help down here?

You know, would that be too much to ask?

I mean, look around here, there's nothing. We have no power, no phone service, nothing.

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HARRAK: President Joe Biden says he will visit Florida on Wednesday to offer more support. He will also travel to Puerto Rico, which was devastated by another hurricane. CNN's Nadia Romero shows us how one town in western Florida is responding to the disaster.

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NADIA ROMERO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Days after hurricane Ian still dealing with the aftermath, here in Arcadia, Florida. So you would likely be able to take this -- this is Highway 70 right now, a highway that is flooded by the Peace River.

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ROMERO: This is the highway you would take through town, you can wrap around, go to Palm Beach, go to Fort Myers. Not anymore, not unless you have a boat. Still, the locals tell me that this river is about four times as high as it normally is.

So you have to have a boat. And there is an airboat coming right now. They've been out helping people get through, get to the other side, to dry land.

They have been also transporting medical supplies, water and MREs, food and other things that people may need. You can also see out in the water, those are RVs, that were once at the Peace River campground, that hurricane Ian just picked up and swept away.

So now people are blocked off from the other side of their town. And they don't have the resources that they need. They are telling me that they are split in half. Their job may be over there, all the shops are over there, even family members. Take a listen.

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MAC MARTIN, ARCADIA RESIDENT: Everything is across the river. The only store on this side of the river is underwater right over here right now. You can't get to it.

JOAN GODWIN, ARCADIA RESIDENT: Everything I own is over there. My whole life is over there. All my vehicles are over there. My truck is the only thing that's over here, and I've got a dozen cars over there.

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ROMERO: So many people saw damage to their vehicles and their homes, during hurricane Ian and they don't have the means to really get the necessities. Many of them have been without power for three days now.

That is why you're seeing distribution sites like this one popping up and expanding. This is put together by the county emergency management office, by the Salvation Army, by the Florida National Guard.

Cases of water -- not just water but also boxes of MREs, so that people can feed themselves, as they try to figure out how to survive now that the storm has passed.

But the big question, what happens to this, to Highway 70, once the Peace River starts to go back down to normal levels?

County emergency management officials say they are concerned about the infrastructure. But they haven't had time to assess the damage because, first things first, they are more concerned about the safety and well-being of people in this area -- Nadia Romero, CNN, Arcadia, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE) HARRAK: Well, for more, let's bring in Marty Lawing, he is the city manager of Fort Myers, Florida, where he joins us now.

Thank you, sir, so much for taking the time to speak to us and answer our questions. I just want to start off by saying our hearts go out to everyone in your area. It is daunting to see the images and that devastation.

What is your situation at the moment?

MARTY LAWING, CITY MANAGER, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA: Well, things are all pretty good here in Fort Myers. We have a very experienced team of department directors and key staff. They have dealt with storms before; none this strong, I don't believe but nonetheless, they know what to do and how to do it.

So we have gotten a quick start on the recovery process, relocated a lot of debris out of the roadways, so that our normal services for sanitation and solid waste can start and the people in the community can drive around.

We had some things here we have not seen in the past, such as our yacht basins, some of the boats were piled up and some were thrown out, washed out of the yacht basin or the marina and vehicles were carried down the street, relocated and damaged.

We had some water in some homes and some wind damage but we have had wind and high rains with previous storms. But the thing that was different about this one was the storm surge.

HARRAK: Now your area has been particularly hardhit, because governor Ron DeSantis, referred to Fort Myers as ground zero.

What can you tell us about the search and rescue efforts, are they continuing?

LAWING: Well, one distinction; we are the city of Fort Myers and we are amore urban city, the county seat for Lee County. Fort Myers Beach is the barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, about 14 miles from where we are.

HARRAK: Are there still many people in shelters?

LAWING: You know, there's quite a few but the county, Lee County, it coordinates all of the evacuation shelters. It started out with 15 and they have consolidated down to six now, so it's a little more manageable. But still quite a few people in those shelters, who lost their homes or had significant damage in their homes.

HARRAK: Now, of course, hurricane Ian developed into this behemoth of a storm; hindsight, you know, being 2020.

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HARRAK: We do understand that some residents, particularly in Lee County, feel that local authorities just waited too long before ordering evacuations, which has meant that, for some, they just had a day's warning.

Was that enough?

LAWING: You know, I think it was. The county does an excellent job. They have a very robust management program. They, typically -- I have been over here a year -- they typically make sound decisions, based on facts and data. And there was plenty of time, in my opinion, to the evacuation zones, A, B and C; the press conferences, numerous outlets, where they encouraged -- the county manager, the emergency managers, even county commissioners were all on TV, urging.

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HARRAK: But what did the local authorities say evacuate right now, give the order for people to evacuate?

LAWING: What I saw, yes, it was very strong urging for evacuations in the A, B and C zones, here in Lee County.

HARRAK: Conclusion, would you do things differently?

LAWING: You know, hindsight is always 2020. But during the preparation process, the planning process, we work very closely with the municipality, with county. And, you know, I would have to say that they did a commendable job with the entire process, pre-storm and post-storm.

HARRAK: Fort Myers city manager, Marty Lawing, thank you so much for taking our questions.

LAWING: Thank you.

HARRAK: Russia's so-called annexation in Ukraine is followed by a retreat on the battlefield. Still ahead, Ukraine captures an important city a day after Moscow claimed the region as part of its homeland.

Plus, heading for the border: as a military draft hangs over their heads, Russians respond to President Putin's mobilization with their feet.

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HARRAK: Russia's proclamation that it has annexed parts of Ukraine faces a reality check on the ground.

Case in point?

This development in the city of Lyman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HARRAK (voice-over): This video shows Ukrainian soldiers tossing Russian and separatist flags from the city council building on Saturday. That is after Russian troops pulled out of the strategic city to avoid being encircled.

Well, Lyman was a major logistical hub for Russian troops in the east. It can now serve as a springboard for more Ukrainian advances in the region. Although the victory was welcoming news in Washington, it came with a dose of caution about nuclear saber rattling out of Russia. Arlette Saenz has more.

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ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called Ukrainian capture of that key city of Lyman an encouraging sign. The Defense Secretary specifically spoke about the tactical implications it could have, specifically when it comes to Russia's access to supplies.

GEN. LLOYD AUSTIN, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Lyman is significant, absolutely it is significant. We are very encouraged by what we are seeing right now.

Lyman sits astride the supply lines of the Russians. And they have used those routes to push men and materiel down to the south and to the west. And without those routes, it will be more difficult. So it presents a sort of a dilemma for the Russians going forward.

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SAENZ: This comes as the U.S. and its allies have condemned Russia's attempted annexation of four regions in Ukraine. President Biden calling that annexation a fraudulent attempt and one that has no legitimacy.

The U.S. and allies worked quickly to impose what they described as severe sanctions against Russia in the wake of that annexation. The U.S. and allies have been working behind the scenes to prepare those sanctions, so they could be implemented right away, ahead of that expected annexation.

One thing the U.S. and other allies are watching very closely is whether Vladimir Putin might decide to escalate this war, including the possibility of him using nuclear weapons.

National security advisor Jake Sullivan said earlier in this week they see no imminent threat at this moment. But they do believe there is a risk with all of what he described as Putin's loose talk and nuclear saber rattling.

Sullivan also said that the U.S. has made clear to Russia that there would be severe consequences if they go down that route -- Arlette Saenz, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE) HARRAK: The leader of Chechnya is engaging in his own nuclear saber rattling now, suggesting the use of those weapons should be on the table. Salma Abdelaziz joins us now from London with more.

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, you are really looking at two very different things that are happening on the ground right here, the fact, the realities on the ground and what is actually happening inside Ukraine, which is that Russian forces are on the back foot.

As you heard there, they just lost another strategic city, Lyman, an area being used as a logistical hub, a forward operating base for Russian troops in the east.

That city, now under Ukrainian control. The Russian defense ministry saying that they have to withdraw, there is concern that Ukrainian forces could encircle thousands of Moscow's troops.

And on the other hand, you have President Putin, who is desperate for a win, desperate to appear that he is winning. That is what you saw on Friday, the annexation, the illegal annexation, rather, of those four regions in Ukraine.

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ABDELAZIZ: We have seen this partial mobilization, announced just over a week ago in Russia, 300,000 reservists called up in stages to join Ukraine, a sign of just how desperate they are from men on the ground.

And there is reaction, of course, that partial mobilization. I know we have a story coming up next on the thousands of Russians trying to flee the country in anticipation of that mobilization and fear that they could also be brought into this conflict.

And then the reason why this is so concerning is how desperate is President Putin for that win, how far will he go?

Again, the possibility, the specter of nuclear weapons has been raised. You mentioned the Chechen leader. In a statement after the loss of Lyman, this strategic city, just yesterday, he pushed -- he openly criticized Russian troops, saying that all tools in the arsenal should be used, including low yield nuclear weapons.

And this isn't the first time this has been mentioned, President Putin, again, over a week ago, raising that specter, saying he is not bluffing, saying nuclear weapons could be used if Russia's territorial integrity is threatened.

So real fears and concerns that, while Russian forces are on the back foot on the ground, how far will Moscow go to get that desperate win?

HARRAK: Salma Abdelaziz reporting, thank you, Salma.

Disillusionment with the war that Salma mentioned in her reporting was in plain view on Russia's border with Georgia this week. The line of cars was almost 16 kilometers long at one crossing in recent days.

That was happening as tens of thousands of potential military conscripts were getting out of Russia. Melissa Bell spoke with some of those who are leaving the country.

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MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The pass too narrow for the sheer numbers trying to flee. It has been over a week since Vladimir Putin announced the partial mobilization.

For many, that is how long it has taken to get here.

"Everything is fine," says 10-year-old Grisha (ph), whose father explains he didn't want to pick up a gun just to live in peace with his family. But first, they had to get through a traffic jam a dozen miles long. Impressive, even from space.

But horrendous for those trying to get through the gorge and its tunnels. On foot, for some but most packing their families into cars, as soon as they heard they might have to go to war.

Arriving at last, through the large crossing and into the safety of Georgia, the feelings?

"Freedom," says Yevgeny (ph), "an indescribable feeling. For five days, we didn't know if they would release us from Russia or not."

This family spent more than a week getting here from Dagestan. Abdullah Islamov (ph) says the men there are being rounded up, whether or not they are eligible to fight.

"Nobody attacked Russia," he says. "Acting out of oligarchic ambitions, they found some so-called neo-Nazis in Ukraine. Let the oligarchs go to war first."

In the meantime, Abdullah (ph) says he will keep his sons on the Georgian side of the border, so that they can live and take care of their own -- Melissa Bell, CNN, on the Georgian-Russian border.

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HARRAK: A major hurricane threatens the Pacific coast of Mexico. Ahead, meteorologist Gene Norman will track the storm's path and break down just how dangerous it could be.

Plus, polls suggest Brazil's current right-wing leader could be headed for defeat in today's presidential election. A preview of what to expect just ahead.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When the surge took out my sliding glass doors, I mean, within 10 seconds, the water was up to my armpits.

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HARRAK: A Florida resident there describing what she went through, when hurricane Ian flooded her neighborhood. It's been four days since the storm struck the state and some communities are still underwater.

At least 66 people have died and about 1 million don't have electricity and many remain displaced.

For several days now, emergency crews have been going into the worst hit areas, trying to find survivors and bringing them to safety. First responders aren't the only ones making heroic rescues. Look at how a news crew from Seven Network Australia sprang into action during a live report in Naples, Florida.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A hurricane is to Americans what cyclones are to Australians, is it not?

But this one is as big as Florida. That is massive.

Keep going. Keep going.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. It's an enormous, an enormous storm here. No, fine. We're just helping some people through the water here.

That's our camera operator, Glen Ellis, out there, I think you can see, trying to help people who are wading away from their --

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HARRAK (voice-over): They had been struggling in the floodwaters. The reporter didn't stop describing what was happening, explaining how families lost their homes in the storm, even picking up the camera himself.

He told his camera operator, "Good job," when he returned.

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HARRAK: Excellent job.

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HARRAK: Seven Americans detained in Venezuela for years have been released in a prisoner swap. They include the five remaining executives of the group, called the CITGO 6.

President Joe Biden announced their return saying they were wrongfully detained and would be with their loved ones soon. In exchange, the Biden administration released two nephews of the Venezuelan first lady, Cilia Flores. They had been sentenced in the U.S. to 18 years in prison on drug smuggling charges in 2017.

A crucial presidential election gets underway in Brazil in just a few hours. Incumbent president, Jair Bolsonaro, predicts he'll easily win reelection with at least 60 percent of the vote. But recent polls show him well behind his main rival, former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was aiming for a political comeback. CNN's Mathias Brotero has a preview.

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MATHIAS BROTERO, CNN BRASIL CORRESPONDENT: Brazilians are bracing for the most polarizing elections in recent memory when polls open on Sunday morning. The candidates spent the last campaign day chasing the side of water voters.

With almost a dozen candidates there are two clear front-runners, the leader in the polls, left-wing former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, spent the day walking beside fellow candidates near the policed avenue (ph) (INAUDIBLE) some postcards (ph).

At night, Lula held a press conference. The right wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, led a motorcycle rally, also here in Sao Paulo. In the evening, the president did the same in the southern state of Santa Catarina.

At night, Bolsonaro livestreamed on social media. Tensions are running high ahead of Sunday's race, with several cases of harassment and outright attacks between opposing political camps.

There have even been accusations of poll researchers having their lives threatened by Bolsonaro backers. The two top candidates both have high rejection rates and Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly claimed the electronic voting system can't be trusted without providing any evidence of problems.

In recent days, Lula has secured a dominant position in the polls, leading Bolsonaro by double digits. The final Datafolha poll released Saturday evening gave Lula with 50 percent and Jair Bolsonaro 36 percent valid votes.

Lula's lead has raised the possibility that he could reach the same percentage on Sunday and win the election in the first round. If no one secures 50 percent, the top two candidates will confront each other in a runoff vote at the end of the month -- Mathias Brotero, for CNN Brasil in Sao Paulo.

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HARRAK: Protests over the death of a young Iranian woman enter their third week. A human rights group says Iran's military has been ordered to crush the protests. A report, after the break.

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HARRAK: Demonstrators in major cities from Australia to Europe are showing their solidarity with protesters in Iran, who are defying a brutal government crackdown. While it began when 22-year-old, Mahsa Amini died after being detained by the morality police for not abiding by the state's rules for covering her hair with a hijab.

CNN's Jomana Karadsheh has more, from Istanbul.

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JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thousands of university students across Iran took part in protests on Saturday in the capital, Tehran, as well as other cities, including Mashhad, Tabriz, Esfahan and other cities as well, students protesting on campus, as well as taking to the streets.

We heard those same, bold slogans and chants we have heard throughout these protests that have now entered the third week, calls for regime change, those chants of "Death to the dictator," by some.

Some women taking off their headscarves, waving them in the air, as they chanted "Freedom." These young men and women appear really defiant and determined, despite what appears to be this widening and intensifying government crackdown.

Of course, the Iranian government has dismissed the grievances of the thousands who have taken to the streets over the past couple of weeks as rioters, they have described these protesters. They have described everything going on the country right now as a foreign plot to try and destabilize the Islamic Republic.

We have heard from Iranian officials, including the president, Ebrahim Raisi, saying that these protests must be dealt with decisively. And that appears to be what the government is doing right now.

By the government's own account, its own figures, more than 1,000 have been detained so far. But according to human rights groups, they believe that number is much higher. In reality they're saying that there have been reports of mass arrests taking place in the country in recent days.

We have seen a number of influential Iranians being detained and arrested by the government, including artists, musicians, athletes, poets, people who have come out in support of the protesters, as well as 28 journalists, according to The Committee to Protect Journalists.

And Amnesty International, the United Nations and others have accused the government of using excessive force in dealing with these protests. Amnesty International has said that government forces have shot directly and deliberately at protesters.

No one really knows how many people have been killed so far. It is impossible for anyone outside the Iranian government to know the exact figure of those who have lost their lives. But we are getting different casualty tolls coming in from different groups, human rights organizations, opposition groups as well as state media.

[03:45:00]

KARADSHEH: And they put the death toll anywhere between more than 40 people and up to more than 80 people.

We can't independently verify these figures. It is very difficult for us to try and reach people inside Iran, because of the internet blackout that is being imposed by the government as well as the restrictions on communications, making it very difficult to try and verify information coming out of the country.

There is a lot of concern that, the more determined these protesters are, the more persistent these protesters are, the bolder their demands and as they continue to take to the streets, that we are only going to see the Iranian government unleashing even more brutal force to try and crush these protests as it has done in the past -- Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, Istanbul.

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HARRAK: In Burkina Faso, the leader of a military coup is accusing the president of staging a counteroffensive just a day after he was ousted from power.

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HARRAK (voice-over): Hundreds of military supporters protested in front of the French embassy on Saturday, while the French foreign minister is condemning the violence against the embassy. A fire broke out and several shots were heard.

In the meantime, the president issued his first statement since being ousted, calling on the military to avoid a civil war.

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HARRAK: Access to abortion is a volatile political issue here in the United States but, in the Netherlands, it is seen as a basic right for women, even if they are from other countries. Our report, after the break.

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HARRAK: Abortion is a huge issue in the U.S., especially after the Supreme Court overruled a long-standing national right to the procedure.

In Europe, the Netherlands is one of just a few countries where access to abortion is possible past 12 weeks of pregnancy. So the nation attracts women seeking the procedure from around the European Union. CNN goes inside a Dutch clinic to learn how it works.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bloemenhove is one of the last chances to have an abortion in Europe. Every woman who is making the decision is also doing this out of love for herself but also for the pregnancy, for the fetus child.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Women can react in many, many different ways to an abortion. I have seen girls from 16 years old, traveling through the whole of Europe, traveling at night to come over here and coming in alone. I have seen women from 39 years old coming with their parents and not able to make a decision.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For me, it is not important if the woman has medical reasons or if there is something wrong with the fetus, it is her decision and not anybody else's decision.

We see lots of women from France, from Germany, from Poland and other countries who come to our clinic.

We saw a big increase in Polish women who came to the clinic to have an abortion in the second trimester. And a big change for us was that these women had wanted pregnancies or there was either something wrong with the fetus or something wrong with the mother.

KINGA JELINSKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WOMEN HELP WOMEN: I have been doing abortion activism for the last 16 years predominantly, focusing on getting abortions to people who live in countries where access is restricted.

We return abortion back to common people, no matter the law, no matter the stigma, no matter the cost.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).

JELINSKA: The police state provided 107 abortions in 2021. We, as Abortion without Borders, facilitated care 22,000, of which more than 1,500 people traveled. A person calls a number and they have two options.

One, if they are less than 12 weeks pregnant, they can take abortion pills in the privacy of their own house. If they are longer than 12 weeks pregnant, they are directed to sources abroad; among others, Abortion Network in Santana (ph) and those groups make sure that the whole pathway, from a place in Poland, to the place abroad is taken care of.

DR. ELLS GARCIA, BLOEMENHOVE CLINIC: When a woman chooses for surgical abortion, she will go to our first floor, where she gets a bed and an infusion and medication to prepare her for the treatment.

We always try to combine people from the same country in the same room and sometimes you see people bonding and talking with each other and have a very good relationship while they are here.

The biggest challenge is to cope with women who are having doubts and to help them through it. It is sometimes not possible. You see a lot of grief and sadness. And we do our best to help them through it, to make them feel at ease, to make them feel comfortable.

And sometimes, well, we talk about them, about the possibility of cremation of the fetus.

[03:55:00]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got the question from the women groups to work something out, that to an us (ph) a memorial place for the stillborns of Bloemenhove -- and that's what they call it.

There's a little memorial tree with little leaves and women can put the name of their child on this leaf in loving memory of this child. But I think most important is that women have a spot where they can think about the pregnancy and the child they lost.

GARCIA: I don't know how to say this but what I know is it feels like a job which is of importance.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Actually, I start to feel more and more activist because there is a lot of antiabortion sentiments at the moment. We see the antiabortion groups tactics from the United States are imported into Europe.

Nobody can be forced to have an abortion and nobody must be forced to have a child. It is always the woman who must be in charge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(SPORTS)

HARRAK: That wraps of this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I will see you in a moment.

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