ANKARA — Istanbul police detained more than 200 people on Wednesday during May Day demonstrations across the province as they prevented crowds from reaching Istanbul’s Taksim Square, a symbolic venue to mark International Workers Day.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 210 people were detained as they attempted to march toward Taksim Square.

Riot police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to disperse tens of thousands who had gathered in Istanbul's Sarachane district after demonstrators sought to march toward Taksim.

Dozens were injured during the confrontation, local media reported, as footage from the scene showed police manhandling demonstrators.