On March 7, two people were killed after a gunfight which erupted in an attempt by gunmen to steal more than $32 million in cash that had just arrived in Chile on a flight from Miami.

According to Chilean police, one of the alleged robbers and an airport security officer were killed. Ten fully armed gunmen attempted to carry out the heist. They got past the airport’s security and onto the runway, where a Latam Airlines plane carrying $32.2 million in cash had just landed at Arturo Benitez International Airport.

Airport workers were transferring a large amount of cash to an armored truck, according to Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve.

The money was guarded by security personnel, but the would-be robbers were not deterred. They opened fire, sparking a gun battle with security personnel. A security officer for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation was killed by gunfire (DGAC). During the gunfight, one of the criminals was also killed.

The assailants fled the airport after realizing they couldn’t get their hands on the loot. Two burned cars were later discovered near the airport by police.

The DGAC officials’ quick action, according to Monsalve, foiled the robbers’ plans. He also stated that the assailants were well-armed and organized.

Social media videos show a bullet-riddled plane parked next to the Latam plane. Another video depicts a shootout scene with gunshots in the background.

Raul Jorquera, the DGAC chief, stated that passengers were not in danger because the robbers were only interested in the cash.

The heist was aimed at the $32.2 million that was supposed to be distributed to various banks across the country.

The attempted burglary, according to Jorquera, would force them to revise and improve their security protocols and processes.

It wasn’t the first time robbers had set their sights on an airport. In 2020, thieves successfully stole $15 million from an airport warehouse. In 2014, robbers stole $10 million in a similar heist.