The past month's protests started over a hike in public transport fares but have broadened to encompass grievances over low wages, the high cost of living and social inequality.

The demonstrations began last month after the government announced a hike in subway fares and transformed into a leaderless national movement with broader demands over education, health services and economic inequality.

December to February -- the southern hemisphere summer -- is a key time for tourism in Chile, when many international visitors pass through Santiago on their way to treks in Patagonia, while domestic tourists head to the beaches.

Chile's unrest is the latest in a flare-up of protests in South America and around the world - from Beirut to Barcelona - each with local triggers but sharing in common anger at ruling elites and inequality.

President Sebastian Pinera announced a freeze on a 9.2% rise in electricity prices until the end of next year, a day after large demonstrations in Santiago.

The unrest was triggered last week by a relatively minor rise in subway fares. But it escalated with demonstrators seeking improvements in education, health care and wages in one of Latin America's wealthiest nations.

Santiago and other Chilean cities have been engulfed by several days of riots as protests over an increase in public transport costs prompted President Sebastian Pinera to reverse the move and declare a state of emergency.

The new claims are included in a memo by Carol Merchasin, a lawyer who oversaw a preliminary investigation into the initial claims against Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

Children treated the snow like a rare treat and excitedly went outside to build snowmen and throw snowballs. 

Two lions were killed after they severely mauled a man who stripped naked and entered their enclosure in an apparent suicide attempt early Saturday, authorities said.