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ARGENTINA | 23-06-2020 00:39

Man crashes car into gates of Chinese Embassy in Buenos Aires

The Embassy, which is in Villa Urquiza, said in a statement that the gates of the building had been severely damaged, though no injuries were reported.

A man drove his car into the front gate of the Chinese Embassy in Buenos Aires on Monday night, prompting the rapid deployment of a police operation.

Police said no-one was hurt and that the incident was under investigation.

The man, an Argentine later identified as 24-year-old Gastón Sanda, was unhurt. He managed to exit the car by himself, before being placed under arrest. Unconfirmed reports in local outlets claimed that he was allegedly looking for political asylum at the Chinese Embassy, though others suggested he had a history of mental illness.

A source at the Foreign Ministry told AFP that the man had asked to see officials at the Embassy and been refused access. Soon after he returned in his Toyota Corolla and rammed the vehicle into the gates of the diplomatic headquarters.

Firefighters, local and federal police officers all rushed to the scene, as anti-terrorism protocol was deployed.

The Embassy, which is in Villa Urquiza, said in a statement that the gates of the building had been severely damaged, though no injuries were reported.

The Chinese ambassador was not at the Embassy at the time, but at his residence in Recoleta, according to reports.

“The Argentine Police quickly went to the diplomatic headquarters and is now investigating the identity and motives of the actor in incident,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement. 

– TIMES/AFP

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