Tourists stranded by French strike

HUNDREDS of Irish tourists and lorry drivers have been left stranded in France as a series of transport strikes threatened to bring chaos to roads, rail, and air traffic in the country.

French air traffic controllers began a 32-hour stoppage at 9pm local time last night. This grounded most international flights in and out of the country.

At the same time, French hauliers stepped up their blockade of the northern town of Lille as part of a nationwide campaign for better pay and conditions.