Chile: Anti-government protests turn violent, death toll mounts to 10

In Chile's anti-government protests, the death toll has gone up to 10 in Santiago, as stated by the local authorities. The administration has imposed the second curfew in a period of 24 hours since the law and order situation has become worse in the region. "First of all, we do this to protect people's lives. This is not an action against the citizens, these are not restrictions for the sake of restrictions ... I hope that starting from 7 p.m. [22:00 GMT], everything will be calm and we all will be home," the special presidential appointee for the national defence during the state of emergency, Javier Iturriaga said. Prior to this, three or more people lost their lives in a fire inside a Santiago supermarket which was ransacked while the violent clashes between demonstrators and police went on. 

READ: Chile’s President Rolls Back Subway Fare Hike Amid Protests

Hike in metro fare caused protests initially

Initially, the cause of protests was the hike in metro fare but the protests later took a violent turn and expanded. Authorities have detailed about 700 people for cases such as robbery, loot and many other serious crimes. President Sebastian Pinera announced a cut in public transport fare hikes following a protest which was held by children from high schools, as reported by foreign media. The protests caught fire and now have reached to various other cities in the country. In Santiago, a minimum of five subway stations and buses were set on fire and the violent protesters looted the supermarkets and pharmacies of the city. A national strike has been called by a lot of groups on October 21. 

READ: Chile: Sebastián Piñera Suspends Subway Fare Hike Amid Protests

Emergency declared

There have been violent clashes in Chile even after the President on October 19 announced a fare-hike suspension. The President is facing his worst crisis during his second term as Chile's topmost leader. The hike in fares was imposed a fortnight ago which led to massive unrest in the country causing a huge amount of damage to the country's property. A state of emergency was declared by the government after the violent clashes in the country which is the first-ever since Chile returned to democracy in the year 1990. 

READ: Chile Protests Continue Despite Gov’t Retreat On Fare Hike

READ: Chile Declares State Of Emergency In Santiago Amidst Protests
(With inputs from ANI)