Car crashes into Chilean street market, killing six

A tragic incident occurred in the Chilean coastal city of Viña del Mar when a car veered out of control and crashed into a busy street market, resulting in the deaths of six people and injuring seven others. Among the injured were two infants.

Manuel Millones, the regional presidential representative for the Valparaíso region, confirmed the casualties to TVN. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested, and investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the devastating event. President José Antonio Kast described the incident as a tragedy that has plunged the entire country into mourning and offered his condolences to the victims' families via the platform X.

The arrested driver is a non-commissioned officer in the Marine Infantry, who was reportedly driving his private vehicle during off-duty hours. According to TVN, the driver stated that he lost consciousness and has no recollection of the events. The Marine Corps confirmed his status.

An eyewitness reported that the car was traveling at high speed when it mounted the sidewalk, striking pedestrians, including street vendors. The National Police, Carabineros de Chile, took the driver into custody at the scene. The government has pledged that all state institutions are committed to assisting those affected and fully clarifying responsibility for this painful event.

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All state institutions are committed to helping those affected and fully clarifying responsibility for this painful event.