At least six people were killed and six others were injured yesterday, Sunday, in Chile when they were struck by a car that plowed into a market in Viña del Mar, west of the capital, Santiago, the police announced, adding that the driver had been arrested.

“The driver, for reasons that remain unclear, lost control of his vehicle” and struck pedestrians near the Caupolican market, said a colonel with the Carabineros (national police) in the Viña del Mar district, Jorge Waita, in a message to the French Press Agency.

“We have six fatalities so far. And we also have seven injured, but fortunately,” no one is considered to be in critical condition, the officer clarified.

Videos from social media show chaotic scenes in the aftermath of the incident, with a crowd surrounding and reacting to a green vehicle at the scene, while bystanders appear distraught as emergency services respond.

JUST IN: 6 killed and multiple injured after a mass hit-and-run at the Viña del Mar fair in Chile. pic.twitter.com/b5IZOHwhjh

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The driver is an off-duty naval petty officer, according to the institution where he serves. He was taken into custody and underwent various tests, police noted.

According to initial information gathered by the police, the car had been speeding on a road running alongside the open-air market.

In photos taken immediately after the accident, a white car with a shattered windshield and a partially crushed hood can be seen. Scattered around the vehicle are clothes, boxes, and other items that appear to have come from the market.

BREAKING: CHAOS AT CHILE FAIR AFTER VEHICLE PLOWS INTO CROWD

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At least 6 people have reportedly been killed and several others injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd at the Viña del Mar fair in Chile.#Chile #VinaDelMar #BreakingNews https://t.co/M052Ni8RDi pic.twitter.com/Z8mCsC5iKb

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An official in Valparaíso, Manuel Mijones Chirino, stated that according to a preliminary police report, the driver “was not under the influence of alcohol”; he likely lost control because “it was drizzling,” the road was slippery, and he did not have sufficient traction.

The identities of the victims were not released; however, according to witness accounts gathered, it is believed that most were “merchants,” according to Mr. Mijones.

The Navy reported that he was driving a “private” vehicle.

He also expressed his sorrow over the “irreparable loss of human life caused by this tragedy” and assured that he would cooperate with the investigation to clarify “the circumstances” of the accident.

“The tragedy in Viña del Mar has plunged the entire country into mourning,” said President José Antonio Kast, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families.

The municipality announced that it will provide legal and psychological assistance to the victims and their families.

Viña del Mar is located about 120 kilometers west of the capital, Santiago, on the Pacific coast.

Source: skai.gr