A gas station near the Super U store in La Couronne, Charente, mistakenly offered fuel at an unusually low price of 1.239 euros per liter, far below the standard rate of 2.239 euros per liter, according to the local newspaper La Charente Libre. The error occurred during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday and quickly went viral after photos and videos of the low price were shared on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. The price discrepancy meant that a full tank of SP98, a high-octane fuel, would cost drivers almost 45% less than usual, drawing a large crowd of motorists to the station. Super U, the supermarket chain that operates the gas station, explained that the mistake was due to a "human error" and not part of any promotional campaign. The correct price was displayed on the station’s sign, but the fuel pump incorrectly showed a price of one euro and something. The company has not yet been able to determine how many drivers took advantage of the lower price, but it described the financial impact as a "huge" loss. The error was corrected by Wednesday morning, restoring the proper fuel prices. Fuel prices at gas stations across France have been rising in recent months, driven by geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies. Nearly a quarter of the world’s oil production passes through this strategic waterway, and any disruption there can lead to increased prices at the pump. According to data from the fuel price comparator Carbu.com, the average price of SP98-E5, a common type of gasoline, reached 2.216 euros per liter in France, up 6.5 cents or 3% over the past week. SP95-E10, the most commonly used fuel, averaged 2.121 euros per liter, an increase of 5.7 cents, while diesel prices rose to 2.291 euros per liter, up 7.1 cents.