- Title: SPAIN: Clashes and vehicles set ablaze on third day of fuel strike
- Date: 11th June 2008
- Summary: (BN10) MADRID, SPAIN (JUNE 11, 2008) (REUTERS) RESTAURANT OWNER, FELIX DE LA FUENTE, SERVING BREAKFAST VARIOUS OF DE LA FUENTE IN THE KITCHEN, FEMALE CHEF COOKING SPANISH STEW (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESTAURANT OWNER, FELIX DE LA FUENTE, SAYING: "The effects of the strike, already on its third day, are making themselves felt. As you see our refrigerators will soon be empty
- Embargoed: 26th June 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Domestic Politics,Energy
- Reuters ID: LVACFGNROZERUV6CNR7AL15ILCKW
- Story Text: A lorry driver protesting at high fuel prices in Spain suffered serious burns on Wednesday (June 11) when his cabin caught fire in what police suspected was arson.
The fire which started at 4 a.m. (0200 GMT) completely destroyed the unnamed man's lorry and three others.
The drivers were sleeping at a picket line near southeastern city Alicante on the third day of a strike that has caused nationwide fuel and food shortages and travel chaos for millions.
Police investigating the Alicante lorry fire said they suspected arson. The driver suffered second degree burns to 60 percent of his body, local media reported.
Also in Alicante, strikers violently clashed with police as agents forced lorry drivers off their the picket lines blocking highway traffic.
Tension mounted in the capital too as riot police detained a group of striking truckers who refused to unblock a Madrid beltway. Policemen seized the truck keys and gently took the pickets away leaving their vehicles behind.
Some parts of Spain are already suffering fuel shortages as protesters picket fuel deposits and many market stall holders -- particularly traders in fruit, vegetables and fish -- say they only have supplies for another day or two.
Infrastructure Minister Magdalena Alvarez told parliament on Wednesday that the government and the main group representing strikers had agreed terms, not yet outlined, to end the blockades.
The strike is beginning to bite restaurants' supplies.
"The effects of the strike, already on its third day, are making themselves felt. As you see our refrigerators will soon be empty,"
restaurant owner Felix de la Fuente said while showing his nearly empty refrigerators.
Restaurant cook Pilar said she lack ingredients.
"We run out of food for our lunch menus -pasta, rice, legumes, we are running out everything," she said.
Despite the shortages, Madrid resident Juanjo expressed his solidarity with the strikers and understand the motives.
"I guess they considered it necessary, that's probably the case.
They don't have other options, if I were a lorry driver I would most likely join the strike. Actually, as a driver I already feel it too so it also affects me," he said.
Portuguese drivers have joined the strike and there have also been protests in France over the impact of record oil prices, now at highs of more than $139 per barrel.
Diesel has risen to 1.30 euros ($2.01) per litre from 0.95 euros a year ago, pressuring European Union governments to help heavy fuel users such as truck and taxi drivers, fishermen and farmers.
On Tuesday (June 10), one striking truck driver was run over by a van and killed near a Granada market in southern Spain, while in Portugal, a striker died as he tried to stop a truck on a road north of the capital Lisbon. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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