Two prison guards injured in confrontation with Special Forces

SANTIAGO.- Two prison guard officials were injured during an altercation this morning when Police Special Forces agents fought to suppress a demonstration being held by members of the Gendarmerie that were trying to interrupt traffic and set fire to tires in Puerto Montt amidst several demonstrations in the area.

The incident took place at approximately 9:15 AM, when a group of some 80 gendarme officials tried to interrupt traffic at kilometer 1,022 of Route 5 South, in front of the Alto Bonito detention center.

Demonstrators arrived at the location with tires and gasoline and tried to light barricades on fire.

Nevertheless, a troop of officers belonging to the Police Special Forces unit were on the scene fought the efforts using water sprayers, which began to soak the gendarme officials.

The situation sparked anger among the protesters, who began to confront the police officers, after which a physical altercation ensued.

Though there were no arrests made during the incident, two gendarme officials were injured: one with an injury to his left eye, and the other with a facial contusion.

Both men were taken to the Puerto Montt Clinic after being evaluated by a Gendarmerie paramedic.