Troops doubled in bid to combat looting

THOUSANDS more troops were deployed across quake-hit Chile yesterday as residents took up arms to stop a wave of mass looting in the nation’s second city, slapped with an 18-hour curfew.

President Michelle Bachelet doubled the number of troops patrolling the worst hit areas to 14,000, as people in ravaged Concepcion were barred from leaving their homes from 6pm to midday.

“Military personnel will be present in the streets of Concepcion until midday to maintain public order, and they will not waver in carrying out their duties,” warned General Guillermo Ramirez.