Chilean authorities are investigating the death of police cadet Ignacia Albornoz, 18, who allegedly was forced to run in the rain despite being diagnosed with pneumonia. Albornoz died from cardiac arrest on Sunday at a hospital near her hometown of Tomé.
Albornoz initially fell ill after a training session on May 3 at the Alex Villagrán Pañinao Gendarmerie School in San Bernardino. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and prescribed three days of rest. After being cleared to return on May 6, officials reportedly required her to participate in a group run early on May 7, aggravating her condition.
She fell ill again and was diagnosed with influenza bronchitis, instructed to rest for four days, but her condition worsened on Saturday. She was transferred to Las Higueras de Talcahuano Hospital, where she died the following day.
Her mother, Jessica Insulza, accused the academy of negligence, alleging her daughter was forced to train in adverse weather and take cold showers without adequate clothing. Insulza also claimed other cadets fell ill, and proper measures were not taken promptly.
Albornoz's death marks the second cadet fatality in less than a month. Army recruit Franco Vargas, 19, died from a respiratory infection during a march on April 27 in Putre.
Representative Monica Arce has called for a thorough investigation, stressing the need for accountability and humane training practices.