Incident Summary:

01/12/2018: Assailants detonated an explosive device at the Cristo Vencedor Chapel in Penalolen neighborhood, Santiago, Chile. There were no reported casualties. This was one of five coordinated attacks targeting churches in Santiago on this date. Weichan Auka Mapu claimed responsibility for the incidents in pamphlets left at the scene, which threatened Pope Francis's upcoming visit to Chile and expressed discontent with perceived domination over people's bodies, ideas, and acts. Officials also suspected that the Lautaro Youth Movement may have carried out the attacks.

GTD ID:
201801120016

When:
2018-01-12

Country:
Chile

Region:
South America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Santiago Metropolitan

City:
Santiago

Location Details:
The incident occurred at 2167 Peninsula Street in the Penalolen neighborhood.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Bombing/Explosion
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Religious Figures/Institutions
Name of Entity Cristo Vencedor Chapel
Specific Description Chapel
Nationality of Target Chile
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Other Explosive Type
Weapon Details
An explosive device containing gun powder and packed inside a fire extinguisher was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Lautaro Youth Movement (suspected) No
Weichan Auka Mapu Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Note left at scene)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Churches attacked in Chile ahead of pope's visit," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, January 12, 2018.
"Before pope's visit, churches in Chile attacked," The Boston Globe, January 13, 2018.
"CHILE POPE - Chile police probe series of church attacks ahead of pope's visit," EFE, January 13, 2018.