World
Bolivian university stampede turns fatal; kills four, injures 70
A heated debate ensued and one student detonated a tear gas cannister, provoking the stampede.
Sucre: At least four students have been killed, while over 70 sustained injuries in a horrific stampede at Bolivian university following a tear gas grenade which was detonated during an assembly.
According to details, hundreds of students had gathered in an enclosed sports arena of the University for student council Elections.
A heated debate ensued and one student detonated a tear gas cannister, provoking the stampede.
Officials stated that many of the wounded had suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones, and the deceased had died of asphyxiation.
Five of the injured were in intensive care, added officials.
Police, however, arrested two suspects—one is a student leader involved in convening the assembly and the other is suspected of actually setting off the tear gas grenade.
In the meantime, the government has announced an investigation into the unfortunate incident.
Notably, fights between students in Bolivia are not uncommon, and tear gas had been deployed in previous confrontations.
In 2021, at least 12 students died at a different university when a railing collapsed during another assembly confrontation.