Two die in Argentina store looting

People run away carrying electronic goods during looting at a supermarket in San Carlos de Bariloche, about 1.630 km southwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Hooded people looted at least three supermarkets and set a car on fire after claiming for food to celebrate Christmas in the city of Bariloche, part of Argentina's Patagonia region. The sign in background reads in Spanish "pay less, take more." (AP Photo/Diario Rio Negro)

People run away carrying electronic goods during looting at a supermarket in San Carlos de Bariloche, about 1.630 km southwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Hooded people looted at least three supermarkets and set a car on fire after claiming for food to celebrate Christmas in the city of Bariloche, part of Argentina's Patagonia region. The sign in background reads in Spanish "pay less, take more." (AP Photo/Diario Rio Negro)

Published Dec 21, 2012

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Buenos Aires - Two people died Friday and two more were seriously injured as mobs looted supermarkets in Rosario, Argentina's third largest city, an official said.

Matias Drivet, a city hall official, gave the toll after similar violence shook other cities in Argentina on Thursday.

In Bariloche in the south, officials said looters were apparently venting anger over a blackout that had left much of Neuquen province without power on Wednesday.

People wielding sticks raided a supermarket there called Changomas, owned by the US retail giant Walmart, and stole TV sets, bicycles and electrical appliances, witnesses said.

Another supermarket was also looted.

The central government sent in army troops to restore calm.

Bariloche is a tourist city 1 650 kilometers (1 000 miles) south of Buenos Aires. - Sapa-AFP

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