Looters Return Stolen Goods in Chile

Remarkably, looters in Chile have returned hundreds of goods worth $2 million, including TVs, washing machines, electronics and furniture stolen from stores and warehouses in the wake of the devastating Feb. 27 earthquake.

The widespread looting led to curfews and the deployment of 14,000 soldiers sent into the quake zone with orders to shoot-to-kill if necessary. Residents of Concepcion, the city worst hit by the earthquake, found nearly every block occupied by rifle-toting soldiers who questioned people and arrested suspected looters at checkpoints every few blocks downtown.

The country hasn't seen such a strong military presence since the 17-year dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet that ended in 1990, reports the UK's Telegraph.

"This looting has nothing to do with survival," said Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, who promised to prosecute looters. "It had everything to do with people trying to make a profit on the suffering of others."

MSNBC has reported that quake survivors in the port town of Talcahuano had organized neighborhood watch groups, arming themselves and barricading streets to protect their damaged homes from looters. Most of the city was destroyed by the quake and the tsunami along a 435-mile stretch of the coast.

Meanwhile, the national flag is at half-mast outside buildings across the country as residents begin three days of national mourning. Chileans are gathering together to honor the dead — now officially estimated at 452 after officials revised down a first toll of 802.

Aid has poured in from across the world but the quake damage is making it hard for workers and volunteers to get supplies to the estimated two million homeless survivors. Surprisingly, the minister of public works says "Chile's infrastructure held up well."

Photo courtesy of richardo.martins via Flickr.