Chile’s government has extended the state of emergency to cities in the north and south, as the number of deaths caused by violent clashes and arson attacks has increased to at least seven.
Interior Minister Andres Chadwick said the decision to expand emergency measures was carried out in the context of “escalation of violence and vandals”.
Mr. Chadwick cited 70 “serious violent incidents” yesterday, including the looting of 40 supermarkets and other businesses, with at least 7 deaths.
The student-led protests began two weeks ago when Santiago and other cities in Chile were swallowed up by a few days of riots after rising public transportation costs.