Two truck drivers die as fuel protests spread across Europe

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — Two lorry drivers were killed on picket lines in Spain and Portugal on Tuesday as strikes by thousands of truckers over soaring fuel prices turned deadly.

Spanish police escorted petrol supply tankers into Barcelona on the second day of the stoppage that has caused food and fuel shortages and huge tailbacks on the Spanish-French border.

French railway workers began their own walkout, increasing the transport chaos.

Spain's government announced late Tuesday it had reached an accord with non-striking road haulage unions aimed at easing the crisis.

Transport Minister Magdalena Alvarez said the agreement would be presented on Wednesday to the two unions which called the strike, Fenadismer and Confedetrans.

"We hope that tomorrow...