Chile protests: Five dead after looters torch garment factory

2019-10-21 09:16:49

Five people died after looters torched a garment factory near Chile's capital Santiago, bringing the death toll in violent protests to at least seven. 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 on Sunday, President Sebastián Piñera said: "We're at war against a powerful enemy, who is willing to use violence without any limits." There is set to be major disruption on Monday with many banks, schools and shops expected to remain closed.