Australia has issued a warning to travellers to Chile, but has resisted raising the travel advisory level, after riots and chaos flared in the capital Santiago and Chile’s president Sebastian Pinera declared a state of emergency.
Five people died in a garment factory fire, one of several blazes in Santiago as rioting spread.
In scenes reminiscent of recent events in Hong Kong, black-hooded Chilean protesters fought police in the streets. The Santiago riots, triggered by recent public transport ticket price increases, saw shops looted and metro train stations set on fire and smashed up.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued an advisory at the weekend, as follows:
“Following a night of unrest in the centre of Santiago on 18 October, the Chilean government has declared a state of emergency around the capital and deployed the military to enforce security in some areas. Inner-city transport routes have been compromised as all metro stations have been closed for the weekend of 19-20 October.
“Bus services and taxis remain unaffected but are under pressure from heavy use. We advise you to exercise caution, stay informed about the situation by monitoring local news, avoid trouble areas and follow the instructions of local authorities. We have not changed the level – exercise normal safety precautions.”
Later, DFAT added that “due to ongoing unrest, a curfew applies… until 7 am 20 October in the provinces of Santiago and Chacabuco, and in the suburbs of San Bernardo and Puente Alto.
“A state of emergency exists in some areas,” DFAT said.
“Avoid protests. Obey curfews and all instructions from local authorities. We have not changed the level of our advice – exercise normal safety precautions.”
President Pinera declared an emergency lockdown in the early hours of Saturday, pledging to
use a state security law to prosecute the “criminals” responsible for the widespread damage.
“In the coming days, our government will call for a dialogue … to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the increase in fares,” Pinera said in the broadcast address.
Chilean television showed flames climbing up the side of a building as fire crews struggled to push through growing crowds of demonstrators.
Enel Chile, a major electricity supplier, said vandals had set fire to its corporate headquarters.
In a statement posted on Twitter later, the company said all workers had been evacuated safely.
The president has backed down on the fare increases that triggered the riots.
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