70-year-old Tunisian dies during vendor crackdown
Police crackdown on street vendors in Tunisian town, 70 year old dies
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Officials say streets vendors have clashed with police enforcing new regulations in a Tunisian town, and one local resident was killed and 17 police officers were wounded.
When police late Monday attempted to dismantle stalls and move the street vendors to a designated area, they rioted, setting fires and hurling stones at police who responded with tear gas.
It was the worst clash of its kind since earlier this year when police began curbing the proliferation of street vendors across the country.
The Bizerte hospital, north of the capital, Tunis, could not confirm the cause of the elderly man's death Tuesday morning. Radio reported it was tear gas inhalation.
Tunisia's 2011 uprising against the dictatorship was sparked by the self-immolation of a frustrated street vendor.
