Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@sste7

This is the moment a crying Chilean police officer in full riot gear hugs a protester who wipes away his tears as onlookers applaud.

The incident took place during a peace march in the streets of the Chilean capital Chile as protests have hit the nation leaving a reported 13 people dead.

In the videos, a female marcher, whose name has not been revealed, can be seen hugging a cop in riot gear and she speaks into his helmet.

Some angles show how the cop is crying and the woman can be seen wiping the tears from his face.

Video Credit: CEN/@ConySchon

Onlookers can be heard applauding and singing “the people united will never be beaten”.

Netizen ‘Daniel Lopez’ said: “Touching moment in the social march, this hug between cops and protesters, and the ‘no’ to violence from the protester”.

‘Andres Madrid’ added: “They are human beings with a different but very valuable job, not understood generally by criminals and masked men.”

Protests started in the central Chilean capital Santiago on October 18th after increased public transport fares were announced, affecting almost 3 million commuters.

Video Credit: CEN/@nohaymalquedurecien

According to local media, the increase would have seen fares rise from 800 to 830 CLP (0.85 to 0.88 GBP). However, the government eventually backed down and ditched the planned hike.

But now locals are protesting against rising and widespread wealth disparity in the South American country which ranks worst in OECD nations in terms of economic inequality.

According to local media, the protests in Chile have left 13 people reported as dead after the finding of the body of a man who was electrocuted during the looting of a supermarket in the city centre of Santiago.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.