Violence erupts during anti-pollution protest as anger boils in Tunisia’s phosphate belt

GABES, Tunisia (AP) — Police rained tear gas on crowds and several demonstrators and riot police were injured in the southern Tunisian city of Gabes as thousands of people marched Wednesday to protest worsening air pollution from a phosphate-processing plant.

The protest descended into clashes with police who attempted to disperse protesters trying to reach the plant in an industrial complex, which is a designated military zone. Gabes, home to more than 400,000 residents, lies at the heart of Tunisia’s phosphate industry, one of the key sources of export revenue for the North African country.

Wednesday's protests were the latest since a gas leak near the state-owned Chemical Group of Tunisia industrial complex. The leak sent dozens of residents, including children, to hospitals in recent weeks, according to environmental activist group “Stop Pollution.”

The leak reignited long-standing anger in the coastal city, where residents blame more than five decades of industrial activity for rising cancer rates, respiratory illnesses and the collapse of the region’s once-thriving and unique ecosystem.

By nightfall Wednesday, plumes of tear gas, burning tires and trash bins filled the streets as protesters blocked major roads and chanted against what they called “environmental crimes.” Many demanded the dissolution of the GCT and closure of its phosphate units, which they accused of slowly poisoning Gabes.

The city’s chemical complex processes raw phosphate into fertilizer, an operation that for decades has discharged toxic waste directly into the Gulf of Gabes. Environmental groups say the pollution has wiped out marine life, turned the waters dark and forced generations of fishermen out of work.

Successive Tunisian governments have promised to relocate or modernize the plant, but environmental activists say those pledges have repeatedly gone unfulfilled.

Tunisia’s National Observatory for Agriculture has repeatedly warned air quality in parts of Gabes exceeds limits set by the World Health Organization. Environmental experts repeatedly noted the persistent high levels of sulfur dioxide and ammonia in the atmosphere, pollutants known to cause respiratory damage and contribute to acid rain.

“Our entire lives have been ruined by the smells and smoke we inhale every day,” said 30-year-old Hanen, who declined to provide her last name out of fear of retribution.

On the sidelines of Wednesday’s protest, she told The Associated Press that tensions escalated in recent weeks after the new gas leak sent a wave of panic through the community.

“They refused to tell us what was causing people to get sick, even children were hospitalized, and some developed paralysis,” she said. “They disregarded our worries and called us liars, and that drove people angry … We want this complex dismantled, and we will not stop until it happens.”

The GCT acknowledged “major non-conformities” in its operations in a July 2025 environmental audit, citing excessive ammonia and other emissions that fall short of global environmental standards. Despite the admission by the company, the government and even Tunisian President Kais Saied, residents say no visible action has followed.

Saied said in a statement earlier this week that he ordered the formation of an urgent joint commission to meet protesters’ demands.

“Serious failures were found in maintenance and testing that led to gas leaks. There will be no tolerance for those who neglected their duties," Saied said. “The people of Gabes will receive their full rights.”

People take part in a demonstration against pollution caused by chemical factories, in Gabes, Tunisia, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2025. Banner in Arabic reads "We would like to breathe." (AP Photo/Bassem Aouini)

People take part in a demonstration against pollution caused by chemical factories, in Gabes, Tunisia, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2025. Banner in Arabic reads "Gabes is suffocating." (AP Photo/Bassem Aouini)

People take part in a demonstration against pollution caused by chemical factories, in Gabes, Tunisia, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Bassem Aouini)

People protest and clash with police during a demonstration against pollution caused by chemical factories, in Gabes, Tunisia, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Bassem Aouini)

LENS, France (AP) — Winger Wesley Saïd scored a brilliant goal to secure Lens' 10th consecutive win across all competitions and place atop the Ligue 1 standings on Saturday.

Lens defeated Auxerre 1-0 after Saïd controlled with his chest Malang Sarr’s cross into the box and finished with a left-footed volley from the bounce. The 65th-minute goal was his eighth this season.

Lens, which claimed its only French title in 1998, stayed one point ahead of defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, which beat Lille on Friday.

Next-to-last in the standings, Auxerre was not intimidated by the buoyant crowd and posed a strong challenge to the host with intense pressing.

After a first half of few clear chances, Lens showed more intent and Matthieu Udol, set up by Adrien Thomasson, came close to breaking the deadlock. The ball fell back to Udol who struck again only for defender Fredrik Oppegård to block.

Udol then delivered a low cross toward the near post for Thomasson, whose effort went just wide. Lens kept pushing and was finally rewarded when Saïd slotted home.

Third-place Marseille put on a display of collective force and won at mid-table Angers 5-2 ahead of a Champions League showdown with Liverpool next week.

Angers' defense imploded quickly and Marseille led 4-0 after 40 minutes before Amine Sbaï pulled one back for the host just before the interval.

Amine Gouiri put Marseille in the lead followed by goals from Mason Greenwood and Hamed Traore. Winger Timothy Weah added a header to cap a slick collective move. Igor Paixao made it 5-1 in the 88th and Jim Allevinah reduced the gap after a breakout.

Santiago Hidalgo started in place of the suspended Emersonn and scored twice as Toulouse thrashed Nice 5-1. It was Toulouse's third win in four Ligue 1 matches.

New signing Elye Wahi was on the scoresheet for Nice.

Toulouse has 29 goals, its best total after 18 rounds since 1998. The team was seventh in the standings, 17 points behind Lens.

PSG warmed up for next week's Champions League match at Sporting with a convincing 3-0 win over Lille on Friday. Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé scored a brace. Monaco fell to its seventh defeat in eight games, at home to Lorient 3-1.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Auxerre's Lamine Sy, right, challenges for the ball with Lens' Matthieu Udol during the French League One soccer match between Lens and Auxerre in Lens, France, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

Lens' Matthieu Udol, centre, and Auxerre's Clement Akpa, right, in action during the French League One soccer match between Lens and Auxerre in Lens, France, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

Lens' Florian Thauvin, left, in action during the French League One soccer match between Lens and Auxerre in Lens, France, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

Lens' Wesley Said celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Lens and Auxerre in Lens, France, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

Lens' Wesley Said scores his side's opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Lens and Auxerre in Lens, France, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)