Pacific

Chile's Supreme Court condemns Rapa Nui violence

15:25 pm on 31 January 2019

Chile's Supreme Court has condemned violence on Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, after a courthouse was reportedly burned down on Tuesday.

An angry mob torches the courthouse on Rapanui. Photo: Latercera Online

Reports from Chile said police were also assaulted, in attacks sparked by the killing of a man on the island.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court, Lamberto Cisternas, said everyone at the Rapa Nui court was put in extreme danger yesterday.

Mr Cisternas said a minister of the Court of Appeals in Chile would travel to the island to support court personnel.

Rapa Nui hotel owner Celia, who declined to give her last name, told RNZ Pacific that people injured in the attacks had been flown to Chile and the streets were quiet.