SANTIAGO, Chile — On Wednesday, a firebomb detonated inside a public high school in Chile, resulting in injuries to at least 35 students, with several sustaining critical injuries, according to firefighters on the scene.

Authorities reported that a group of students at the Barros Arana National Boarding School in central Santiago had been crafting Molotov cocktails in the bathroom to use at an anticipated protest when one of the bombs exploded. Police officials are currently investigating the reason behind the explosion, which remains unclear.

Captain José Manuel Estefane from the local fire department indicated that 11 of the injured students were admitted to the hospital with serious burn injuries, some affecting their respiratory systems. The remaining students suffered from less severe burns. Additionally, a teacher who attempted to assist the injured students collapsed amidst the chaos.

First responders acted swiftly, managing to extinguish the fire and secure the area by blocking access to surrounding roads. Police have noted that the students were gearing up for a street demonstration later that day in Santiago, a city known for its strong history of student activism. This engagement dates back many years, with notable instances of students confronting the government and business elites during significant periods of social unrest in 2011 and 2019, advocating for necessary political reforms.