Argentina’s second largest city has been rocked by waves of looting and robberies after police went on strike for higher pay .
The violence in Cordoba began on Tuesday night and continued yesterday morning, with shop windows being shattered, mobs stealing goods, robbers attacking people in the streets and vigilantes arming themselves to protect their homes.
More supermarkets and a mobile television van recording the violence were attacked even as officers and provincial authorities began negotiations to end the strike.
Hospitals reported one shooting death and more than 100 injuries.
Governor Jose Manuel de la Sota said before going into negotiations with police that 56 people had been arrested.
He said he has offered a 52% pay increase of 12,600 pesos a month, which he called “the best salary for police in Argentina”. That is about £1,220 at the official exchange rate, or about £825 at the black market rate many Argentinians consider more reliable.
Miguel Ortiz, a lawyer representing the police, said the provincial government had “verbally” accepted the officers’ demand for more and he expected a deal to be signed.
Mr De la Sota also described the strike as a police response to his decision to close 140 brothels that provide income for corrupt officers.