Holiday violence in Colombia

At least 22 people are killed in Colombia in New Year's Eve party

At least 22 people died violently in Colombia during New Year celebrations on Sunday, the director of Public Safety of the Colombian police, General Rodolfo Palomino reports.

Speaking to journalists, Palomino assured that this is despite the fact that the number of homicide victims has declined by 33.3% over the same date last year. He added that due to the controls implemented throughout the country during the festivities of Christmas and New Year, authorities seized 276 firearms, 229 of which were illegal.

He explained that over the New Year festivities, 2,591 weapons were confiscated while in the total week, 8,819. The general expressed his concern about altercations, which despite having diminished, have ensured that the numbers remain high. At Christmas, there were 5,216 street fights, and the New Year, 2,702. Palomino said the police also seized 46 tons of gunpowder.

Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa Karpova

Pravda.Ru