16 Jun 2012

Coal miners and police clash

11:58 am on 16 June 2012

Striking coal miners have clashed with police in northern Spain, in some of the worst disturbances since austerity measures were imposed by the government.

The interior ministry said at least seven people had been injured outside a mine in Asturias.

Miners fired sky rockets and ball-bearings at riot police who responded with rubber bullets and tear gas.

The miners are protesting at plans to cut government subsidies from 300 million euros to 110 million euros. Thousands have been on strike across northern Spain for weeks.

Spain has the worst unemployment rate in the eurozone after the collapse of a property boom.

On Saturday, eurozone ministers agreed to lend Madrid up to 100 billion euros ($US125 billion) to help bail out its banks.