One dead and 106 injured in fuel tax protests in France

A woman has died and 106 people are injured as people block roads around France to protest against rising fuel taxes.

The 63-year-old woman died after being hit by a vehicle in the eastern Savoie region, according to an official. The driver of the vehicle had reportedly accelerated in panic after her car was surrounded by protesters.

Across France, an estimated 244,000 protesters targeted tollbooths, roundabouts and major roads, many wearing yellow jackets that all French drivers must keep in their vehicles in case of breakdowns.

Fifty-two people were arrested and 38 held for questioning, the interior ministry said.

The taxes the protesters are angry about are part of President Emmanuel Macron's strategy to move France away from fossil fuels.

But many say they simply increase the burden on France's poorer people.

One protester, Esteban, told Sky News the cost of fuel was so high that he was considering a second job to help pay for his transport to school and work.

He said: "I think [the taxes] are not about the environment - it's for the money.

"I'm very disappointed. I really hope he's going to listen to us but I don't have a lot of hope for that."