Overview
- Judicial tests by the Explosives Division found potassium chlorate mixed with naphthalene in the volcano model that detonated at Instituto Comercial Rancagua on October 9.
- The compound is banned under Argentina’s pyrotechnic product registry, and investigators say the mixture produced the explosive reaction.
- Prosecutor Fernando Pertierra said the forensic work has concluded and that calls to questioning for the teacher and the school director will issue in the coming days under the charge of “estrago culposo.”
- The blast scattered burning fragments that injured 17 people, mostly students, causing cuts, burns, and contusions.
- The most seriously hurt student, 10-year-old Catalina, sustained severe craniofacial trauma, underwent two surgeries at Hospital Garrahan, and was discharged earlier this month as her recovery progressed.