Crowds, estimated at 400,000-strong, filled the streets of Santiago on Monday (30 April) to witness the funeral procession of a young Communist worker who was shot dead in a pro-Government workers' rally in the Chilean capital on Friday (27 April).

The dead man, Ricardo Ahumada, was killed and nine others injured when an unknown gunman opened fire with a machinegun on marching construction workers near the headquarters of the opposition Christian Democrat Party.

Trade unionists said the shots came from inside the headquarters building, but the Christian Democrat Party denied the allegation. Police who searched the building found a pistol.

Friday's demonstration by supporters of Marxist President Salvador Allende followed a series of social and labour disputes against the ruling leftwing coalition Government.

Members of the Central Committee of the Chilean Communist Party and high Government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Clodomiro Almeyda, led Monday's funeral procession.