Black smoke billows as tires burn in the middle of the road.
People are standing behind them, blocking the path.
They are fishermen from the southern region of France, staging a protest while blockading an oil storage facility in Frontignan.
The reason is soaring fuel prices following the Middle East war.
The fishermen demanded measures regarding fuel costs, stating that recent spikes in fuel expenses leave them with no profit even when they go out to sea.
[Pierre Palumbo / French Fisherman : Over the past three months, (diesel) prices have risen by 100%, making it impossible to make a profit even when operating. Right now, it has reached a level where we can no longer hold out.]
Fishermen are continuing blockade protests not only here but at various ports across the south, including the Port of Nice.
In some areas, clashes between protesters and police intensified, leading to violent physical altercations.
Beyond France, neighboring Italy has also seen Mediterranean fishermen protest demanding measures for fuel costs, with major fishing vessel organizations warning of official strikes next month.
In the UK and the Netherlands, which are centered around large fishing fleets, crew layoffs are also continuing.
While governments are struggling to resolve high fuel prices—such as the French government convening an emergency meeting today (the 18th) to formulate relevant measures—they are facing difficulties securing sufficient budgets.
Not only in Europe, but citizens in Syria also poured into the streets last weekend after the government announced a temporary hike of up to 40% on petroleum product prices, including gasoline and diesel.
[Bassam al-Ali / Syrian Citizen : Are we asking for a wage increase? That's not it. We are saying not to raise fuel prices.]
Meanwhile, disruptions to crude oil transportation have recently occurred in the Red Sea due to Houthi rebel attacks following the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that global grievances caused by high oil prices will not be easily resolved anytime soon.
(Video editing: Lee Seung-yeol)
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