Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

Army chiefs in Argentina have suspended 11 officers after a young officer choked on his own vomit during a hazing ritual.

Second lieutenant Matias Ezequiel Chirino – from Rio Cuarto, Cordoba Province – died after the initiation ceremony at his new regiment.

Officials say the 22-year-old choked to death on his own vomit early on Sunday morning (19th June).

An autopsy gave his cause of death as bronchial aspiration caused by the consumption of large amounts of alcohol and food.

Grieving dad Ezequiel Chirino said his son had been forced to drink alcohol and throw himself into a pool at night in the cold, among other abuses.

Matias was one of three soldiers being initiated into Artillery Group No. 3 of Paso de los Libres, Corrientes Province.

The other two initiates are among the 11 suspended officers.

Chirino pointed the finger at two officers in particular, whom he named as Jorge Chavez and Ezequiel Meza.

He said: “He was killed, without a doubt. It was not an accident.”

He called the incident “an abuse of authority” and said that those responsible “must go to jail”.

Chirino had taken his son to his admission to the army unit and was staying in a hotel in Paso de los Libres when he received the devastating news.

He said: “At eight in the morning the head of the detachment calls me and says, ‘Am I speaking to Matias Chirino’s dad?’ Come and get him because he’s dead.’

“With that coldness.”

The victim had graduated from El Palomar Military College after studying for four years.

He had joined the regiment in Paso de los Libres to complete his training as a military officer.

The Federal Court of Paso de los Libres is investigating the case and the army has said it is cooperating with the investigation.

Army chiefs in Argentina have suspended 11 officers after a young officer choked on his own vomit during a hazing ritual.

Second lieutenant Matias Ezequiel Chirino – from Rio Cuarto, Cordoba Province – died after the initiation ceremony at his new regiment.

Officials say the 22-year-old choked to death on his own vomit early on Sunday morning (19th June).

An autopsy gave his cause of death as bronchial aspiration caused by the consumption of large amounts of alcohol and food.

Grieving dad Ezequiel Chirino said his son had been forced to drink alcohol and throw himself into a pool at night in the cold, among other abuses.

Matias was one of three soldiers being initiated into Artillery Group No. 3 of Paso de los Libres, Corrientes Province.

The other two initiates are among the 11 suspended officers.

Chirino pointed the finger at two officers in particular, whom he named as Jorge Chavez and Ezequiel Meza.

He said: “He was killed, without a doubt. It was not an accident.”

He called the incident “an abuse of authority” and said that those responsible “must go to jail”.

Chirino had taken his son to his admission to the army unit and was staying in a hotel in Paso de los Libres when he received the devastating news.

He said: “At eight in the morning the head of the detachment calls me and says, ‘Am I speaking to Matias Chirino’s dad?’ Come and get him because he’s dead.’

“With that coldness.”

The victim had graduated from El Palomar Military College after studying for four years.

He had joined the regiment in Paso de los Libres to complete his training as a military officer.

The Federal Court of Paso de los Libres is investigating the case and the army has said it is cooperating with the investigation.