PARIS, November 18. /TASS/. More than 400 people were injured during Saturday’s protests across France against the spiraling fuel prices and taxes, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told the RTL radio station.

A total of 287,700 people took part in more than 2,000 protests. "Some 409 of them were injured, with 14 people in serious condition. Twenty-eight police officers, gendarmes and members of the firefighting and rescue service were among those injured, and some received serious wounds," the minister said citing updated information.

Police have detained 282 protesters, including 73 this night.

Mass protests, triggered by the rising fuel prices and taxes, began in France on Saturday morning and continued throughout the night. They were initiated through social networks by angry citizens and a number of trade unions and political parties.

Some demonstrations turned violent, with protesters blocking roads and attacking drivers. The French law enforcement officers were put on high alert. In Paris, the protesters attempted to storm the Interior Ministry’s main building. In some regions, the protesters blocked access to petrol filling stations.

Earlier, France’s authorities announced that starting from January 1, 2019 petrol and diesel prices would rise by 3 euro cents and 6.5 euro cents, respectively. One of the factors behind the price hikes is the government’s move to introduce an environmental tax on greenhouse gas emissions. Prime Minister Eduard Philippe said the government planned to keep the new tax despite the protests.