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Chile's Gen Pinochet dies at 91 Chile's Gen Pinochet dies at 91
(10 minutes later)
Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet has died, the Santiago hospital treating him after an earlier heart attack has announced. Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet has died at the age of 91.
The hospital said the condition of the 91-year-old general had suddenly worsened, AP news agency said. The general entered a Santiago hospital a week ago after a heart attack. The hospital said his condition suddenly worsened on Sunday.
Gen Pinochet was in power from 1973-90, during which time more than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared". Gen Pinochet seized power in a coup in 1973. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his rule which ended in 1990.
He was accused of dozens of human rights violations but had never faced trial because of poor health.He was accused of dozens of human rights violations but had never faced trial because of poor health.
"He died surrounded by his family," the hospital's Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara told reporters."He died surrounded by his family," the hospital's Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara told reporters.
He said more details would be made available later, Reuters news agency reported.He said more details would be made available later, Reuters news agency reported.
Gen Pinochet suffered a heart attack a week ago. He underwent medical procedures and received the last rites from a Catholic priest. Gen Pinochet suffered a heart attack a week ago. He underwent an angioplasty to unblock an artery and received the last rites from a Catholic priest.
But in the days afterwards his condition had been thought to be improving.But in the days afterwards his condition had been thought to be improving.
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires said about 150 Gen Pinochet supporters had been keeping a vigil outside his hospital since he was taken ill. The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires says about 150 Gen Pinochet supporters had been keeping a vigil outside his hospital since he was taken ill.
"I believe they will be joined now by other supporters as news of his death spreads," our correspondent said. Our correspondent says he believes they will be joined now by other supporters as news of his death spreads.
"There has been no immediate reaction from his opponents as yet, but I'm sure they feel very cheated that they have not been able to bring him to court to face the various charges being made against him." He adds that there has been no immediate reaction from his opponents as yet, but that they are sure to feel very cheated that they have not been able to bring him to court to face the various charges being made against him.
Despite his human rights record, many Chileans loved him and said he saved the country from Marxism.
But even many loyal supporters abandoned him after it became clear in 2004 that he had stolen about $27m in secret offshore bank accounts that were under investigation at the time of his death, our correspondent notes.
In June 1973, Gen Pinochet led the armed forces in a dramatic coup against the democratically elected Marxist government of Salvador Allende.
The violence of the uprising and the oppression that followed shook the world. He went on to become one of South America's best known military rulers of the 1970s and 80s.
Earlier in November, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973.Earlier in November, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973.
The charges related to the Caravan of Death - a military operation to remove opponents of his rule.The charges related to the Caravan of Death - a military operation to remove opponents of his rule.
Our correspondent said that despite his human rights record, many Chileans loved him and said he saved the country from Marxism.
But even many loyal supporters abandoned him after it became clear in 2004 that he had stolen about $27m in secret offshore bank accounts that were under investigation at the time of his death, our correspondent says.