Protest continue in Tunisia over rubbish dump reopening

Thousands of Tunisians went on strike and rallied after a demonstrator died of tear gas inhalation during protest over the reopening of a rubbish dump, as environmental crises mount in the country.

Abderrazek Lacheheb, 35, died in the Sfax region on the central coast, after security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters.

A medic and a family member said he had died of asphyxia, and the prosecution said it had opened an investigation.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry said Lacheheb had died as a result of a pre-existing health condition.

However, the city held a general strike and thousands of people marched the six kilometres from the town to the landfill site, which served around a million people until it was closed in September under pressure from residents.