10th person killed in France's yellow vest protests

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A 10th person has been killed in anti-government protests that started in France more than five weeks ago over fuel taxes and wages demonstrators say are inconsistent with rising costs of living.

The latest person killed was a 36-year-old man whose name was not disclosed.

He died late Friday night near the southern French city of Perpignan after his car hit a truck stopped at a blockade erected by yellow vest protesters, a city spokeswoman said.

The protests named after the high-visibility yellow vests French drivers must carry in their cars began on Nov. 17 over rising fuel prices and taxes.

Protests have continued despite President Emmanuel Macron's concessions earlier this month, which included agreeing to stop a planned fuel tax hike and pledging to increase the minimum wage by $100 a month.

An estimated 2,200 people demonstrated in Paris last week compared to 10,000 the previous week, Sky News reported.

CNN affiliate BFMTV reported that the number of people marching in Paris Saturday was about 800, citing Paris police.

The number of security forces deployed countrywide has reduced from previous weeks, French authorities said.

Around 4,100 officers were deployed on Saturday, including 1,225 in Paris alone.