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In Pictures: Romanian protests

Thousands protested against plans by US energy group Chevron to explore for shale gas in eastern Romania.

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A man waves a flag in front of Romania(***)s parliament during a protest against plans by US energy group Chevron to explore for shale gas in a poor eastern region and a Canadian company(***)s project to set up Europe(***)s biggest open cast gold mine in Romania.
Published On 21 Oct 2013

Thousands of Romanians protested on Saturday against plans by US energy group Chevron to explore for shale gas in a poor eastern region and a Canadian company’s project to set up Europe’s biggest open cast gold mine in a Carpathian town.

Plans by the leftist government of Prime Minister Victor Ponta to approve the tapping of natural resources in the European Union’s second-poorest state have triggered nationwide protests since the start of September, throwing together local communities, environmentalists, civic rights groups and the clergy.

While the two projects are separate and in different stages of development, protesters have criticised a lack of transparency in approving both. They demand stronger safeguards to protect Romania’s environment and national heritage.

On Thursday, Chevron suspended work on what was to be its first exploration well in the small town of Pungesti in Vaslui county, 340km northeast of the capital, Bucharest, after locals blocked access to the site.

(Reuters)

A man wearing a Guy Fawkes mask holds a placard during a protest in Bucharest on October 20.
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People hold Romania(***)s national flags while passing by the words "Go home Chevron" written on the road in protest against plans by US oil major Chevron to search for shale gas in Pungesti, 340 km  northeast of Bucharest
Chevron suspended work on what was to be its first exploration well in the small town of Pungesti in Vaslui county, after locals blocked access to the site.
The people, most of whom live off subsistence farming in one of Europe(***)s poorest regions have continued protesting, asking officials to revoke drilling plans.
A child holds Romania(***)s national flag while standing on a cart during a protest against plans by US oil major Chevron to search for shale gas in Pungesti.
A man holds Romania(***)s national flag in front of a tent installed on the empty lot where US oil major Chevron plans to search for shale gas.
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A woman holds a placard that reads "Stop shale gas" during the protest against plans by US oil major Chevron to search for shale gas in Pungesti, 340 km  northeast of Bucharest .