Tragedy in Bolivia: five students die after falling into the void at a university

This Tuesday at least five students died falling into the void, when a balustrade gives way Public University of El Alto (UPEA), in La Paz, Bolivia.

Leonel Jimenez, the police commander of Great, reported that a total of eight people (six men and two women) fell from a fourth floor and confirmed the deaths of three students, while five others were injured and taken to the Dutch Bolivian Hospital of El Alto.

Hospital authorities later reported that other two people died at the health center. These youths suffered blows to the head and severe injuries to internal organs which resulted in their deaths. “The injuries prevented satisfactory cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” said Maricruz Méndez, director of the clinic at the information portal Unitel.

“There was an assembly with clashes, and between shoves, about eight companions fell from one of the balustrades,” he said. Andy Huanca, executive secretary of the UPEA workers, on the radio Fides.

According to Huanca, during the meeting financial matters were discussed and “the student centers which have completed their mandate have been ratified”, which triggered the verbal and physical argument.

In several videos circulating on social networks, we can observe it the large number of students crowded in the corridors, outside the classroom where the assembly was held, supporting on the railing, which caused its collapse.

TV host Hiram hurtado of the news network Television image, published in his account Twitter the video of the moment when the students fall into the void. The video ends with sensitive images where is observed the bodies lying on the ground floor of the university.

The accident occurred in the building of Field of economics, finance and administration of UPEA. And to the place where they came on first responders and firefighters, who transferred the injured to the health center.

Jiménez indicated that the Special Crime Fighting Force came on site to investigate how the events unfolded.

For its part, UPEA said in a statement that the University legal department collaborates in the investigation carried out by the police. In addition, he stated that the university authorities “They ordered an internal investigation” into this fact and “they will collaborate on the health issues of affected students and other aspects.”

THE NATION