Concepcion: Looters in Chile have handed back stolen goods to the value of USD 2 million, the government said, as the country mourned the hundreds killed in last month's earthquake and tsunami.
Pressed by police and military patrols, Chileans returned hundreds of television sets, washing machines and other electronic and furniture items stolen from stores and warehouses.
The looting had broken out in the wake of the devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on February 27.
That and rioting led to curfews and the deployment of some 14,000 soldiers -- a move unprecedented since the 17-year dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet that ended in 1990.
President Michelle Bachelet visited a depot of returned goods on Sunday, promising justice.
"This looting has nothing to do with survival," Bachelet told journalists, estimating the total value of the objects to be almost USD 2 million.
"It had everything to do with people trying to make a profit on the suffering of others."
Meanwhile, the national blue, red and white flag fluttered at half-mast from buildings across the country at the start of three days of national mourning, in a week in which president-elect Sebastian Pinera was due to be sworn in.
PTI
First Published: Monday, March 08, 2010, 15:33