Kathianne
06-11-2008, 05:27 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7447869.stm
Two dead in Europe fuel protests
Two lorry drivers have been killed in fuel protests in Spain and Portugal as the hauliers' strike continues.
One was killed in the Spanish city of Granada when he was run over by a van trying to drive through a picket line.
The other driver died after reportedly trying to stop a lorry at a barricade near Alcanena, north of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, on Tuesday.
Spaniards are stockpiling fuel and food as hauliers blockade major cities in protest at rising diesel prices...
At least three other lorries were also set alight early on Wednesday where some 300 commercial vehicles were parked in San Isidro, south-east Spain.
Protesting drivers complain that the price of diesel has soared by more than 20% this year, and are calling for the government to enforce a minimum price for haulage, to prevent firms being undercut.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has offered hauliers emergency credit and early retirement incentives, but refuses to set minimum tariffs, saying they must accept fair competition.
Lorry drivers across Spain's borders in France and Portugal have joined the protest.
The hauliers' action follows the lead of British lorry drivers, and Spanish and French fishermen, many of whom have been on strike because of the soaring price of fuel....
Two dead in Europe fuel protests
Two lorry drivers have been killed in fuel protests in Spain and Portugal as the hauliers' strike continues.
One was killed in the Spanish city of Granada when he was run over by a van trying to drive through a picket line.
The other driver died after reportedly trying to stop a lorry at a barricade near Alcanena, north of the Portuguese capital Lisbon, on Tuesday.
Spaniards are stockpiling fuel and food as hauliers blockade major cities in protest at rising diesel prices...
At least three other lorries were also set alight early on Wednesday where some 300 commercial vehicles were parked in San Isidro, south-east Spain.
Protesting drivers complain that the price of diesel has soared by more than 20% this year, and are calling for the government to enforce a minimum price for haulage, to prevent firms being undercut.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has offered hauliers emergency credit and early retirement incentives, but refuses to set minimum tariffs, saying they must accept fair competition.
Lorry drivers across Spain's borders in France and Portugal have joined the protest.
The hauliers' action follows the lead of British lorry drivers, and Spanish and French fishermen, many of whom have been on strike because of the soaring price of fuel....