A man wielding a kitchen knife went on a rampage in the La Paz international airport's terminal today, stabbing 11 people, authorities said.
Hospital officials said most of the wounds did not appear to be life-threatening, although at least two were serious, with one woman undergoing surgery for an abdominal wound. Deputy Interior Minister Jorge Perez said the attacker, who was detained at the scene by a police officer who was among the wounded, told police he "heard voices" and went on the attack to defend himself.
"The man arrived from a village. He is mentally ill and he approached a ticket sales counter and began to attack" passengers who had lined up to board local flights, said Perez.
All of the victims were Bolivians, officials said, and most were female passengers.
One of the wounded told PAT television that the attacker struck many victims in the back.
"I ran and he managed to cut my hand," said the woman, who identified herself only as Maria.
