The stampede ended at a university assembly in Bolivia in which at least three were killed and 40 were injured

A meeting at the university with at least three students were killed and 40 were injured in Bolivia, after one of the aides blew up a tear gas bomb causing stampede, informationsigned by the rector and a police chief.

The tragedy took place amid heated debate at the sports arena of Tomás Frías University in the Andean city of Potosí (southeast). According to the commander of the police department, Colonel Bernardo Isnado, a student activated “a gas grenade that caused an avalanche and its product we have three dead people“.

Authorities added that the stampede was caused by the desperation of people who tried to flee due to the presence of tear gas. The institution “is in mourning”indicated its rector, Pedro López.

“Police are conducting expert work and investigation to identify who or who caused this unfortunate incident product of launching tear gas at the Student Assembly to approve the FUL elections, ”the rector said at a press conference, according to the Ahora El Pueblo newspaper.

The injured, meanwhile, were taken to the University Social Security and Hospital Bracamontes de Potosí.

A possible infiltrator

The tear gas grenade explosion took place in the middle of a student assembly held to coordinate the Local University Federation (FUL) election.

According to López, the probability that the perpetrator of the incident is a “infiltrator” who sought to “bog down” the electionbut there is still no confirmed information, the local newspaper Página Siete reported.

As of noon Monday, more than 40 university students affected by the avalanche had received medical care at Bracamonte Hospital and University Insurance Hospital.

The police, for their part, He specified that the deadly victims were women. and that the investigation be advanced.

“We are taking all precautions so that those responsible for this crime are caught and placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry,” said Bernardo Isnado, commander of the Police department.

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Source: AFP at Telam