Chileans armed as post-quake looting rife

ONE man swings a thick metal chain. Another grips an axe. An older gentleman favours a wooden pole. And a 20-year-old spoiling for a fight has prepared a garrotte – a menacing wire tied between two handles – to confront any intruders.

These and hundreds of other survivors of Chile’s devastating earthquake have organised neighbourhood watch groups, arming themselves and barricading streets to protect their damaged homes from looters. The groups have stepped in as police were overwhelmed by looting and soldiers were slow to restore order after an earthquake and tsunami.

“We take care of ourselves here,” said 51-year-old Maria Cortes. She stood watch in Poblacion Libertad – “Freedom Community” – a gritty collection of small duplexes along anindustrial road in the port town of Talcahuano. About 2,000 people live here around a common area three football fields long.