Chile's government will extend a state of emergency to cities in its north and south, President Sebastian Pinera said late on Sunday, after at least seven people were killed amid violent clashes and arson attacks over the weekend.

He confirmed the state of emergency he declared for Santiago on Saturday night, which brought the military onto the streets, would be extended to the north and south of the capital.

Protests led by students began two weeks ago over fare hikes on public transport.

Prosecutors said 1,462 people had been charged by mid-afternoon on Sunday in connection with that day's protests, 614 of them in Santiago, That followed 179 arrests in Santiago on Saturday.