Chileans protest conditions at earthquake camps

A group of demonstrators have taken to the streets in a northern Chilean city to protest against government-imposed camps to house people affected by an earthquake.

According to the reports, protesters used burning barricades to block one of the main roads in the coastal city of Iquique on Monday night, calling on the government to move the emergency camps which pose health risks.

Residents argue that the emergency camps have been installed without prior approval or consultations with local residents.

A powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks struck the country’s northern Pacific coast in early April, causing widespread damage to thousands of homes in the coastal city.

Following the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert for Latin America’s entire Pacific coast.

Thousands of Chileans living in coastal areas were ordered to evacuate their homes, where they then spent the night outdoors.

Authorities said it would take months before the government can help the local population with reconstruction efforts.