Fuel protests turn violent

More than 400 people were injured, 14 seriously, in a day and night of “yellow-vest” fuel price protests around France that claimed one life.

The injury toll, more than double the last tally provided on Saturday, followed a restive night in 87 locations around the country where protesters had blocked roads to express their anger at a series of hikes in petrol tax.

Interior minister Christophe Castaner said on Sunday the injured, 409 in total, included 28 members of the police, military police and fire brigade.

About 288,000 people had taken part in Saturday’s protests at 2,034 locations.

About 3,500 had stayed out overnight, Castaner said.

Police questioned 282 protesters in total, 73 during the night, of whom 157 were taken into custody.

“There were assaults, fights, stabbings,” Castaner said.

“There were fights among protesters. There was a lot of alcohol, which led to this idiotic behaviour.”

On Saturday, groups blocked roundabouts, major highways and thoroughfares to express anger over tax rises on fuel, arguing that personal spending power has shrunk under President Emmanuel Macron.

Tempers flared at times as some drivers confronted the protesters or tried to force their way through the barricades.

In the eastern Savoie region, a woman trying to get her daughter to a doctor panicked after protesters surrounded their car and banged on the roof, accelerating into the crowd and killing a 63-year-old woman.

The protesters are nicknamed “yellow vests” for the high-visibility jackets they wear.