Turkey May Day protests erupt in Istanbul as police fire tear gas and arrest hundreds near Taksim Square

Istanbul saw major clashes during May Day demonstrations on Friday as Turkish police fired tear gas and arrested hundreds of protesters attempting to march towards Taksim Square.

According to the CHD Lawyers' Association, at least 370 people were detained during the rallies.

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AFP reported seeing riot-control vehicles firing tear gas into crowds gathered on the European side of the city.

Demonstrators had attempted to reach Taksim Square, that was sealed off overnight by police.

Union official Basaran Aksu was arrested shortly after criticising the restrictions around Taksim Square.

"You can't close off a square to the workers of Turkey. Everyone uses Taksim, for official ceremonies, for celebrations. Only the labourers, the workers, the poor find the square closed to them," he said.

Protesters also chanted slogans against the Turkish government and US policy as police tightened security across central Istanbul.

The demonstrations came amid rising economic frustration in Turkey, where inflation remains high despite official figures placing it at around 30 per cent.