At least eight people have been killed in Chile during a second day of protests and rioting in the South American nation.

Three people were left dead after a looted building was set ablaze, the governor of Santiago, the country’s capital, said.

Five more people were later found dead in the basement of a burned-out warehouse.

The Chilean military declared another night-time curfew for Sunday evening as the government struggled to contain the violent protests.

Demonstrations first began on Monday after a 4 per cent hike in public transport fares was announced.

Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Show all 45 1 /45 Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A member of the security forces shoots tear gas canisters at protesters. Protests against Chilean President Sebastian Pinera's government were triggered months ago after Pinera proposed changes to the country's pension system REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with security forces REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators protest in Plaza Italia in Santiago EPA Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A riot police water truck is hit by a molotov bomb REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws stones REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator blows fire from his mouth as he clashes with riot police REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator kicks back a tear gas canister REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police are reached by a petrol bomb AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator uses a tennis racket to throw a tear gas canister back at riot police AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue SANTIAGO, CHILE - JANUARY 17: A Chilean riot police officer throws a gas pump against demonstrators during a protest against President SebastiÃ¡n PiÃ±era at Plaza Italia on January 17, 2020 in Santiago, Chile. Protests and social unrest arose on October 18 after a subway fare increase which developed in a social movement demanding improvements in basic services, fair prices and benefits including pensions, public health and education. (Photo by Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images) Marcelo Hernandez Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators are sprayed by riot police with a water cannon REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue An anti-government demonstrator covers his mouth and nose during a protest with a sticker on his head that reads in Spanish: "Dignity," AP Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator next to a burning barricade REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator with a placard that reads "United until the Victory" REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in Santiago AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with security forces REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A police water cannon sprays water over anti-government demonstrators AP Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at riot police AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator gestures near a burning vehicle REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Matias Orellana, who lost his right eye due to impact from a tear gas canister shot by security forces, waves to demonstrators gathered to support him outside a hospital REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators take part in a protest against Chile's government in Valparaiso, Chile December 30, 2019. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido RODRIGO GARRIDO REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police officer shots a tear gas canister Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Thousands of Chileans protest against the government of President Sebastian Pinera Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws items at an armoured vehicle REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights at police during protests in Santiago, Chile Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights to riot police during a protest Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights at riot police officers Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators use laser beams during an anti-goverment protest in Santiago, Chile on 12 November. REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Observers compared the use of lasers to futuristic warfare or a dance club party AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Renaca on Chile's coast AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators burn piles of furniture during a protest against Chile's government in Vina del Mar, on the country's northern coast Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator is arrested by Chilean riot police during a protest in downtown Santiago on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator waves a Chilean flag as he is fired upon by water cannons during clashes with riot police during anti-government protests in Concepcion on 4 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators throw stones during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, near the country's coast on 7 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A woman walks with her children amid anti-government protests in Concepcion, on Chile's coast on 7 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in downtown Santiago on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Subway services in Santiago were suspended after activists jumped turnstiles, dodged fares and vandalised stations AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators run away from tear gas during clashes with riot police at the Bellas Artes metro station AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue School and university students joined a mass fare-dodging protest in Santiago's metro AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A riot police throws a tear gas canister to demonstrators during clashes AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police stand next to a burning barricade following a mass fare-dodging protest in downtown Santiago AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Chile's President Sebastian Pinera declared a state of emergency in October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A protester kicks back a tear gas canister during clashes with riot polic AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police following a mass fare-dodging protest AFP/Getty

Students reacted by organising protests, which involved hundreds of young people descending on metro stations in Santiago.

The crowds jumped over turnstiles in a fare-dodging protest.

But hundreds of thousands of commuters were left stranded after subway services were suspended.

The demonstrations have become increasingly violent over the course of a week, prompting a state of emergency to be declared.

Santiago descended into chaos on Friday as riots left several buildings on fire and shuttered the city’s metro system.

Hugo Millacoy Gonzalez, a mechanical engineer, took his young son to the San Jose de La Estrella metro station to protest the fare hikes.

He said he was demonstrating “so my son sees that they can’t mock the people”.

A protester kicks a tear gas canister during clashes in Santiago (AP)

Students also set up barricades, started fires at the entrances to subway stations and looted businesses.

Police officers fired tear gas at crowds of protesters in response.

Sebastian Pinera, Chile’s president, announced he was cancelling the fare increase on Saturday night.

“I have heard with humility the voice of my compatriots,” said Mr Pinera.

But despite the announcement the violent demonstrations continued into Sunday.

Police detain a protester in Santiago (Esteban Felix/AP)

The burnt supermarket was one of 60 Walmart-owned outlets which have been vandalised in recent days.

The company have said many of its stores were closed as the violence continued.

Mr Pinera declared a state of emergency on Friday, as riots caused millions of pounds in damage to vandalised metro stations, shops and office buildings.

A curfew remains in effect for six Chilean cities.

Troops have been called in to patrol the streets of Santiago and at least two airlines have cancelled flights into the capital.

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