Arson attack hits forestry operation in Traiguén

A new day of violence affected workers of a forestry contracting company in the Araucanía Region. During the afternoon of this Friday, unknown individuals entered a worksite located in a rural sector of Traiguén and carried out an arson attack that left a forestry machine and two pickup trucks completely destroyed.

The incident occurred near the road connecting the communes of Traiguén and Los Sauces, in an area characterized by its difficult access and where forestry work takes place among the hills of the Cordillera de la Costa.

According to the known details, the attackers also stole a third pickup truck that was used by workers who were at the site. So far, no injuries have been reported as a result of the attack.

Worksite in isolated area

The attack directly affected workers of a contracting company carrying out forestry operations on a property located in a remote area. The location of the site made it difficult to request help immediately.

One of the affected workers described the situation and reported the magnitude of the losses.

"They stole our pickup truck. They burned the poor machine and the two pickup trucks of our colleagues over there in the back. We asked for help in Traiguén," he recounted after the attack.

The destruction of machinery and vehicles represents a new blow for those who carry out productive activities in rural sectors of Araucanía, where travel and conditions of isolation already constitute part of the usual difficulties of the operations.

Investigation underway

After the attack became known, police and military personnel deployed under the state of exception in effect in Araucanía moved to the area to carry out the corresponding procedures and gather evidence to establish the identity of those responsible.

The regional government condemned the incident. The Regional Minister of Public Security, Luis Calderón, expressed his rejection of the attack and assured that this type of action will not be normalized.

"We strongly condemn this new arson attack," the authority stated, adding that the Government will continue working with the evidence obtained at the scene to strengthen criminal prosecution.

The attack once again places at the center of the discussion the security conditions under which workers, contractors, and companies carry out their productive activities in rural sectors of Araucanía. For those who daily enter remote areas to perform their work, violence not only implies material losses, but also uncertainty and fear of the possibility of becoming victims again.

The investigation must now determine who participated in the attack, establish the circumstances under which the vehicle theft occurred, and determine the corresponding criminal responsibilities.