Chile protests: Five dead after looters torch garment factory

Chile protests: Five dead after looters torch garment factory

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Five people have died after a garment factory was set ablaze by looters near Chile’s capital Santiago amid a wave of violent protests.

The military and police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters and a curfew was imposed in major cities.

A state of emergency already in place in Santiago is to be extended to cities in the country’s north and south.

The unrest, sparked by a now suspended metro fare hike, has widened to reflect anger over living costs and inequality.

In a late-night statement on television, President Sebastián Piñera said: “We’re at war against a powerful enemy, who is willing to use violence without any limits”.

What’s happening on the ground?

In several cities on Sunday, protesters set more buses on fire, smashed up metro stations and clashed with riot police. A night-time curfew was imposed in the areas of Santiago, Valparaíso, Coquimbo y Biobío.

Meanwhile, a state of emergency will be applied to Antofagasta, Valparaíso, Valdivia, Chillán, Talca, Temuco and Punta Arenas, allowing authorities to restrict people’s freedom of movement and their right to assembly.