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Unknown individuals topple Arauco company's surveillance tower in Florida

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• In an act of vandalism, unknown individuals destroyed a fire surveillance tower belonging to the Arauco company, disrupting emergency communications in the commune of Florida.

In a concerning act of sabotage, a fire surveillance tower owned by the Arauco company was toppled by unknown individuals in the commune of Florida, Biobío Region. The structure, equipped with cutting-edge technology, including AI-powered surveillance cameras with 360-degree vision, was attacked during the night of Sunday, leaving the community without a critical resource for early wildfire detection and emergency communication.

The incident took place at Cerro Las Palmas, a strategic location just four kilometers southeast of Florida's town square and close to the urban area. The tower, in addition to its surveillance role, housed radio communication repeaters for both the Arauco company and the local fire department, who now face significant limitations in their communication capabilities.

The perpetrators of the attack severed the tower's support cables using a bolt cutter, a tool that left evidence at the scene. Although the incident is believed to have occurred during the night, it was not until the following morning that authorities could access the site and assess the extent of the damage.

Local authorities and representatives of the Arauco company have expressed their concern and condemnation of this act of vandalism, which not only represents a significant material loss but also endangers public safety amid the constant threat of wildfires. The surveillance tower was part of an integrated system for emergency prevention and rapid response, and its absence creates a vulnerability in the region.

So far, no suspects have been identified, and investigations continue to clarify the motives behind this destructive act. The Arauco company and the local fire department urge the community to cooperate with any information that could lead to the capture of those responsible and the restoration of communications.

The security of the Biobío Region is compromised following this incident, and there is an urgent call to reinforce protective and surveillance measures to prevent future attacks that could have even more severe consequences.