A woman has died and 106 people are injured as people block roads around France to protest against rising fuel taxes.

The 63-year-old woman died after being hit by a vehicle in the eastern Savoie region, according to an official. The driver of the vehicle had reportedly accelerated in panic after her car was surrounded by protesters.

Image: Drivers in France blocked roads to protest against rising fuel taxes

Image: The protesters call themselves the 'yellow jackets' because they wear vests that drivers must keep in their vehicles

Across France, an estimated 244,000 protesters targeted tollbooths, roundabouts and major roads, many wearing yellow jackets that all French drivers must keep in their vehicles in case of breakdowns.

Fifty-two people were arrested and 38 held for questioning, the interior ministry said.

The taxes the protesters are angry about are part of President Emmanuel Macron's strategy to move France away from fossil fuels.


But many say they simply increase the burden on France's poorer people.

Image: Motorcyclists move at a snail's pace as they block the ring road in Paris

Image: A map showing the locations of the protests against rising fuel taxes

One protester, Esteban, told Sky News the cost of fuel was so high that he was considering a second job to help pay for his transport to school and work.

He said: "I think [the taxes] are not about the environment - it's for the money.

"I'm very disappointed. I really hope he's going to listen to us but I don't have a lot of hope for that."

Image: Adele Robinson, in Paris to cover the protests, said there had been unrest across the country

Image: Robinson and her team were forced to retreat due to what appeared to be tear gas

Sky's Adele Robinson, who is in Paris, was forced to move away from the scene of one protest after being overcome by what appeared to be tear gas.

Sky News footage showed people covering their mouths and some coughing, along with a man who appeared to have collapsed and was being treated by police.

Earlier, she said: "This is just one of many hundreds of protests across France.

"We've seen a little bit of unrest here and in the rest of the country.

"Cars have tried to go through blockades causing a bit of aggression and police have said they will fine or arrest anybody who causes disruption to public order."

Paris protest by #lesgiletsjaunes over fuel prices across France. pic.twitter.com/Ud5DW70eZl — Adele Robinson (@SkyNewsAdele) November 17, 2018

She said the price of diesel, for example, had risen 23% in the past 12 months.

"This isn't just about fuel prices, this is about President Macron and his government and also this feeling of a division between what many describe as the urban elite, represented by President Macron, and ordinary working people."

According to a poll cited by Reuters news agency, Mr Macron's approval rating has slumped to 21%.