36 dead during Fiestas Patrias: 16 homicides and 20 road fatalities
Minister Martín Arrau reported 16 homicides and 334 road accidents during Fiestas Patrias. Traffic accidents fell 59 per cent compared to the previous year.
36 dead during Fiestas Patrias: homicides stable and significant drop in road accidents
According to biobiochile.cl, the minister of public security, Martín Arrau, delivered Monday's official balance of Fiestas Patrias: 16 homicide victims and 334 road accidents between 00:00 hours on 17 September and 04:00 hours on 21 September.
The homicide figure remained identical to that of the same period in 2025. "Sixteen homicide victims have been detected, the same figure for the same period of time compared to last year, so there is no variation," said the secretary of state.
Of the total victims, ten were killed in public areas or in roadside establishments. Three people died in their homes, one fewer than the previous year, when four cases were recorded. In addition, one victim died inside a penitentiary centre.
Arrau highlighted a change in the type of weapons used: there were four more cases of people killed with a knife compared to the previous year. "The decrease in firearms is something that draws our attention regarding what has happened during this period," the minister said.
Significant drop in road accidents
In terms of traffic, the 334 accidents recorded represent a 59 per cent decrease compared to the previous year. Deaths in accidents reached 20, a 16.7 per cent decrease compared to 2025. People with some degree of injuries totalled 234, a drop of 55 per cent compared to the 525 recorded the previous year.
Arrau detailed the causes of the deaths: seven accidents with seven fatal victims were linked to unreasonable speed or recklessness. Three fatalities corresponded to drivers who were not paying attention to traffic conditions, and three others died in accidents associated with driving under the influence of alcohol.
"That is why we were so emphatic and increased the levels of control over responsible driving," the minister explained.
Inspections and controls
During the period, 73,700 inspections and 22,200 breath tests were carried out. Of the latter, 205 drivers were detected while intoxicated and another 106 were driving under the influence of alcohol.
Additionally, 372 drug tests were performed, with 56 drivers testing positive for controlled substance use.
As for vehicle traffic, 378,000 vehicles left the capital during the period, 20 per cent fewer than the previous year. Meanwhile, 422,000 vehicles entered the Metropolitan Region, a figure that represents a 22 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
Source: Google News CL — Crime