Two people have been killed in a failed attempt to steal more than $32 million (£27 million) in cash from a plane at an airport in Chile.
The robbery saw about 10 heavily armed robbers bypass security measures to reach the runway at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in the capital Santiago, where $32.5 million in cash was transferred from a plane to an armored truck, Undersecretary Manuel Manuel Monzalf said. .
A firefight ensued between the would-be robbers and security officials, resulting in the deaths of a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) employee and an alleged attacker.
The other robbers fled, with two burnt-out vehicles later found nearby.
Mr Monsalve described the group as “very organised” and “very armed”.
“The brave action of the DGAC officials frustrated the robbery,” he said.
Videos posted to social media appeared to show bullet holes in a Delta plane parked next to the Latam plane from Miami, which was the target of the robbery.
Another video appears to show a moment in the gunfight when many gunshots are heard.
DGAC chief Raul Jorquera said there was “no risk to passengers”.
The $32.5 million targeted in the robbery would be transferred to an armored truck before being distributed to banks in the South American country.
Mr Jorquera said the attempted robbery “will undoubtedly lead us to review processes, protocols that need improvement”, adding: “It forces us to rethink a lot of things.”
It was not the first time that the airport in Chile’s capital has been targeted.
In 2020, thieves stole about $15 million from an airport warehouse, six years after a similar $10 million robbery.
President Gabriel Boric lamented the latest robbery during a speech on Wednesday saying that “when there is insecurity, everything else falter”.
An increase in violent crime in Chile has contributed to a recent drop in Mr Boric’s approval ratings, according to polls.