BP says nearly a third of its UK fuel stations running on empty

A BP petrol station that has run out of fuel is seen in Hemel Hempstead, Britain, September 26, 2021. - Reuters

BRIGHTON, England: BP said nearly a third of its British petrol stations had run out of the two main grades of fuel on Sunday as panic buying forced the government to suspend competition laws and allow firms to work together to ease shortages.

Lines of vehicles formed at petrol stations for a third day running as motorists waited, some for hours, to fill up with fuel after oil firms reported a lack of drivers was causing transport problems from refineries to forecourts.