Clashes in Chile but scale of protests dwindles

Anti-government protests continued in Santiago on Friday, even as numbers of protesters were not as high as seen during previous demonstrations.

A larger group drew water cannon spray and tear gas from police - but at Plaza Italia, a main square where thousands once congregated to launch days long confrontations with police, a mere handfull of people could be seen.

Twenty-six people have died in protests that began October 18 over an increase in subway fares in Santiago, and mushroomed into wide-ranging complaints about much deeper issues of inequality.

Some 2,210 police have been reported injured during the protests and 188 police stations along with 971 police vehicles have been damaged.