Dozens Of Security Officers Hurt In Gasoline Protests On French Island

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2018) Thirty security officers have been injured in five days of clashes with protesters over soaring gasoline prices in the French overseas territory of Reunion, the government spokesman said Wednesday.

Nationwide rallies over a hike in diesel tax erupted last Saturday. Drivers wearing yellow vests barricaded roads and formed human chains.

One protester died after being hit by a car.

"The latest data on Reunion was shared with us by the cabinet. There were 109 arrests, 30 law enforcers were injured, including 16 police officers and 14 gendarmes," Benjamin Griveaux told reporters.

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets, he said. Hundreds of security officers are out to maintain order. A further 80 gendarmes will be deployed to the Indian Ocean island from Paris soon.