The University of Antofagasta triggered emergency protocols on Wednesday, ordering an immediate evacuation of its Coloso campus after security personnel received reports of an armed individual on the premises. Staff and students were instructed to vacate all facilities at approximately 3:50 p.m. local time.
According to an official statement from university authorities, the evacuation was a preventative measure. Witnesses had reported seeing a person inside a vehicle carrying an object that resembled a firearm.
“Se informa a toda la comunidad del Campus Coloso de la Universidad de Antofagasta que, por protocolos preventivos, se ha dispuesto la evacuación inmediata de todas las dependencias,” university officials stated in a message shared by local media. The administration urged students and staff to remain calm and follow the directions of the security team.
Police Response and Political Reaction
Carabineros arrived at the scene shortly after the alert was raised to secure the area and locate the suspect. While police conducted a tactical operation to detain the individual, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the object was a live firearm or a blank-firing replica. Law enforcement has yet to release the identity of the suspect or confirm the total number of people taken into custody.
Local lawmaker Sebastián Videla condemned the incident on social media, describing the security breach as unacceptable. He confirmed that he has reached out to the Ministry of Public Security to demand more robust measures against violence impacting academic institutions in the region.
“Es inaceptable que una persona haya ingresado con un arma a la Universidad de Antofagasta,” Videla wrote on X. “Ya se me ha informado que las policías están actuando y que existen detenidos. Se debe aplicar todo el rigor de la ley.”
Videla added that he plans to meet with the Presidential Delegate to discuss fulfillment of safety commitments previously made for schools and universities in the region. He pledged to provide the university with any support necessary to protect the campus community.
