An attempted assault at the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, the main one in Chile, left this Wednesday at least two people died, including an official from the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (Dgac), in charge of the security of the premises.
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The other victim is one of the criminals who were trying to raid a plane with remittances and who started a shootout when they were surprised by airport security, according to several videos circulating on social networks.
“I want to show solidarity and send a big hug to the family of the DGAC official,” Chilean President Gabriel Boric said during his speech at a commemoration ceremony on the occasion of Women’s Day.
“We know that insecurity is a priority for Chilean men and women. When there is insecurity, all the rest falters,” he added.
According to local media, the gang was made up of at least 12 criminals and their intention was to rob a plane from Miami (United States) with remittances worth 26,000 million pesos (more than 32 million dollars).
In their escape, the criminals left several burned-out cars on the road that connects the airport with Santiago. “I want you to know that from our government we are going to pursue tirelessly, with justice and with all the force of the law, crime and those who put the lives of our compatriots at risk,” Boric concluded.
Citizen surveys have been revealing a worrying rise in the perception of insecurity in Chilean society for months. The Paz Ciudadana Foundation published last October that the fear of being a victim of a crime grew by 7.6%, reaching 28% nationwide, the highest figure in 22 years.
EFE
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