MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

One British tourist killed, other shot at in Buenos Aires classy neighbourhood

Prefectura officers mount guard and handle the investigation at the Hotel Faena.

One British tourist was killed at around 11 a.m. Saturday and his son was injured outside Buenos Aires' luxurious Faena Hotel in the fancy Puerto Madero area as they were attacked by motorbike snatchers, it was reported.

The fatal victim was rushed with a bullet wound in his armpit to the Argerich Hospital but doctors were unable to save his life. The survivor was shot in his leg, according to BA emergency services sources.

The assailants apparently approached the tourists on a motorcycle, with support from accomplices in a car. The two British nationals seem to have resisted the attack and were shot at. One was shot in the groin and the other was shot in the right lung, according to eitnesses. Both victims were taken to the hospital.

They two Britons were visiting the country with other relatives, it was reported.

The British Embassy said only that it was assisting family members of two British men after an “incident” in Buenos Aires. The embassy said it was in contact with Argentine authorities.

The Puerto Madero area is so close to the coastline that the case fell under the jurisdiction of the National Coast Guard (Prefectura) since there is no local police.

Prefectura sources quoted by the Infobae media outlet said the two men were intercepted by muggers as they got off a taxi in front of the hotel and the scuffle eventually turned into a tragedy.

The perpetrators were still at large by Saturday evening.