Man dies after clashes between protesters

A 53-year-old man died after clashes between protesters at an anti-austerity rally in front of Parliament in Athens on Thursday afternoon, an Athens hospital confirmed.

The man was identified as a unionist who died of heart failure at Evangelismos Hospital in central Athens, following clashes between protesters and a group of hooded men who attacked them earlier in the afternoon at Syntagma Square.

A doctor told reporters that the man, reported to be a construction worker, was unconscious but had no injuries when he was taken to hospital.

Government sources reported that the unionist had respiratory problems and his condition was aggravated by the use of chemicals by police. Police denied that tear gas had been used at the time of the incident.

Another man was earlier reported to have suffered serious head injuries after falling from the steps on Syntagma Square when the hooded men charged.