Several dead in Chile as car drives into street market
An off-duty member of the Chilean navy crashed a private vehicle into an open-air market in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, killing several people, the navy said.
Footage circulating on social media from a residential security camera appears to capture the moment the car crashes into a stall, while other videos show the driver being led to a nearby police car and angry bystanders chasing after him, shouting.
“The accident resulted in the deaths of many people and caused varying degrees of injuries to others,” the Navy said. he said, adding that he was cooperating with authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Navy statement did not specify the exact number of deaths, but local media reported at least six deaths.
Vina del Mar police chief Colonel Jorge Guaita told reporters that the driver did not remember anything and the cause of the incident had not yet been determined.
“The statements of people who witnessed the accident show that the vehicle was moving at high speed in the right direction of traffic,” Guaita said. Guaita said, adding that the vehicle turned around when it hit the pavement.
“Fortunately, the bus stop stopped him. Otherwise he could have continued moving forward and caused more damage,” Guaita said. he added.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast said on channel X that the incident “put the whole country in mourning”.
“All government agencies are working to assist those affected and to determine with full clarity the responsibilities of this painful incident,” Kast said. he said.
