French protests over fuel taxes continue

Protests over increases in taxes on diesel and petrol continued in France yesterday, although on a far smaller scale than the demonstrations that paralysed traffic around the country.

Interior minister Christophe Castaner said the number of people injured during Saturday’s protests had increased to 409. He said 14 of them had serious injuries. Mr Castaner said firefighters and police were also injured.

A protester struck and killed by a car that accelerated in a panic at a roadblock in Savoie was the only death.

The driver has been charged with manslaughter and released on bail, prosecutors said.

Mr Castaner said 157 people were detained for questioning – up from the 73 reported on Saturday night.