Underground protest sparks state of emergency in Santiago

Protesters comprising of high school and university students jumped turnstiles, attacked several underground station, started fire and blocked traffic, leaving widespread damage across Chilean capital Santiago and left thousands of commuters without transport. Earlier, this month, the government increased fares by $1.17 (£0.90p) for peak hour journey, blaming higher energy costs and weaker Peso.

A state of emergency has been declared in Santiago after protests sparked by a price hike in metro tickets turned violent. President Sebastian Pinera said the aim of the state of emergency was to “ ensure public order and safety of the public and private property”. The emergency allows authorities to restrict people’s freedom of movement and right to assembly.

Protesters threw stones and attacked police vehicles and burned buses. Anti-riot and police used tear gas and batons against some of protesters.

The unrest exposes divisions in one of the Latin American’s wealthiest but one it’s most unequal. The growing complaints about rise in cost of living especially in Santiago, which house over 6million people and calls for economic reforms fell in deaf ears. Estimated damage of $700, 000.

Energy company Enel Chile said vandals had set fire to its high rise corporate headquarters in the centre of Santiago, and as its workers were evacuated no one was injured.

Santiago’s underground system is considered to be most modern with 140km (86 miles) of track covering 136 stations.