Thousands of Spanish coal miners fearing for their livelihood because of huge cuts in subsidies are setting off fireworks as they march up Madrid's main avenue to protest outside the Industry Ministry.

The miners walked with relatives and sympathizers in Wednesday's procession under a hot sun, and wore hardhats and carried walking sticks. The fireworks generated big puffs of smoke.

Some of the miners walked 18 days from northern and eastern mining regions to take part in the rally. They were received as heroes in a march Tuesday night to Puerta del Sol, of the city's main plazas.

They are protesting a 63 percent cut in subsidies to mining companies as part of austerity measures implemented by the government as it faces recession and a bloated deficit.