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Chile Protesters Hug Police as Death Toll Rises

Flights were cancelled and schools closed in Chile’s largest city as protests gave way to vandalism and looting on October 21.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets since October 18, leading the government to declare a state of emergency and impose a night-time curfew.

In this video, shot on one of Santiago’s main streets on October 21, peaceful protesters can be seen hugging ‘carabineros’, the country’s national armed police force.

At least 11 people were reported to have died in the protests to date, including five in a factory fire started by protesters on Sunday.

The protests began in response to a proposed hike in metro fares but have since expanded to encompass general anger about the cost of living and inequality in the country. Credit: Juan Atenas Orostica via Storyful