Two killed in bomb attack at highway toll booth in northern Colombia

BOGOTA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed early Friday in a bombing at the Alto Pino toll station on a highway in La Guajira department, Colombia's National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) confirmed.

"At the time of the attack, six people were on duty at the toll station. Tragically, the toll station manager and the tow truck inspector died on site," ANI said in a statement.

According to the agency, armed men arrived at the site just before dawn and left behind a box that later exploded, destroying the toll booth located on the road linking Maicao and Riohacha.

Colombia's Transport Minister Maria Fernanda Rojas condemned the attack, noting that guerrilla symbols linked to the ELN were found at the site. "Within the Transport sector, we reject all forms of violence that endanger life and safety on our roads," she said.

Maicao's mayor, Miguel Aragon, called the bombing "deeply sad and outrageous," adding that such violence is unusual in the area. "Innocent working people lost their lives as they headed early to perform their duty," he said, pledging justice and urging public safety agencies to respond.

Aragon also requested immediate deployment of national defense forces and announced an extraordinary security council meeting to strengthen protection and prevent further incidents.

The bombing occurred on the first day of Colombia's mid-year holiday weekend, a period when millions of vehicles are expected to travel by road. ■