Thwarted robbery at airport in Chile’s capital leaves 2 dead

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - A shootout Wednesday during a failed robbery attempt at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile left two people dead.

The shooting occurred in a confrontation between airport security guards and a gang of 10 heavily armed robbers who were attempting to steal $32.5 million in cash that was being transferred to an armored truck from a commercial flight from Miami in the US.

The Prosecutor's Office reported that an agent of the Chilean Civil Aviation Authority and one of the assailants died at the scene of the robbery.

"Valuable cargo arrived on a LATAM plane from Miami which was to be taken by the Brinks (security) company, at which point the subjects burst into the area and were repelled by security officials," said prosecutor Eduardo Baeza.

The remaining robbers fled the scene and left four burned vehicles on their escape route. A manhunt for them is underway.

The money was not stolen, although the plane that carried the cash was hit by bullets.

Undersecretary of the Interior Manuel Monsalve said it was a "highly organized, very armed" gang that executed a "planned" action.

The shootout comes at a time when the South American country is going through a security crisis, with feelings of insecurity at their highest level in two decades.

President Gabriel Boric, at an event commemorating International Women's Day, condemned the incident.

"We know that security is a priority for Chileans, and when there is insecurity, everything else falters," he said.

“I want you to know that from our government, we will relentlessly pursue, with justice and with the full force of the law, crime and those who endanger the lives of our compatriots.”