Anti COVID vaccine protesters clash with police in Greece

Riot police stand guard near a fire as people protesting against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccinations demonstrate during the annual speech of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the state of the country's economy, in Thessaloniki, Greece September 11, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police fired tear gas and water canon on Saturday to break up a demonstration of thousands of people protesting against mandatory coronavirus vaccinations.

Authorities said protesters hurled flares at police in Greece's second-biggest city of Thessaloniki, who blocked them from trying to reach the area where Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was due to deliver his annual economic address.