Chilean Mapuches and activists protest against the militarization of the Araucania region in Santiago on Wednesday. President Sebastian Pinera's administration in Chile has been facing heavy criticism for its treatment of the country's marginalized indigenous groups after security forces killed a young indigenous man in the region in November 2018. Photo: AFP

One person died and 17 others were injured Sunday as riot police clashed with protesters in the Chilean capital during a rally by the indigenous Mapuche community.

About a thousand activists - many wearing ponchos and traditional headbands, and playing ceremonial drums - marched near Plaza Italia in the center of Santiago, demanding autonomy for the Mapuche.

When police moved in to disperse the protest with water cannon and tear gas, protesters responded with sticks and stones in a confrontation that lasted about 40 minutes, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.

"A hooded group constantly attacked the police with fireworks," said Enrique Monras Alvarez, chief of the police of the metropolitan area.

"One of [the fireworks] hit one of the protesters, who was with the police."

Police bodycam footage showed Denisse Cortes, a lawyer with the Ombudsman's Office, had walked over to speak to the officers when the missile struck.

The 43-year-old was rushed to hospital, where she was operated on.

"Unfortunately, the patient died during the intervention in the afternoon," said a hospital statement.

The Prosecutor's Office had opened an investigation into "this disproportionate violence," said Rodrigo Delgado, minister of the interior.

Chilean police said in a statement that 17 police officers were also hurt in the deadly clashes.

A total of 10 people were arrested.

AFP