Turkish riot police on Thursday fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse a group of Istanbul protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones, seriously injuring one person, local media reported.

Turkish riot police on Thursday fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse a group of Istanbul protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones, seriously injuring one person, local media reported.

Dogan news agency showed the picture of a man lying on the ground with a pool of blood around his head in the Okmeydani district of the city, the scene of sporadic clashes.

Up to 20 people chanted slogans protesting about the death of a teenage boy during anti-government unrest last year. Demonstrators also chanted about last week's mine disaster that claimed the lives of 301 people, Dogan said.

The protester fell to the ground after apparently being hit in the head and was taken to the hospital in a serious condition, added Dogan.

A funeral ceremony was being held nearby when police stepped in, firing tear gas and water cannon as well as a pistol into the air to scare off the protesters.

Demonstrators responded by hurling stones and Molotov cocktails at police and setting fire to an armored police vehicle.

Istanbul police department was not immediately available for comment.

Tensions are high in Turkey as the one-year anniversary of the nationwide anti-government protests, which began at the end of last May and killed at least eight people, draws near.