Man Suffers Brain Damage After Being Hit by Tear Gas Canister During Riot

Photojournalist Pablo Grillo is in critical condition after suffering severe head trauma during a riot in Buenos Aires, where he was struck by a tear gas canister.

The 35-year-old lost part of his brain following the impact, leaving him fighting for his life in intensive care.

Pablo Grillo. (Picture: Jam Press)

Grillo had been crouching to capture a photograph when the canister hit him, sending him tumbling backward.

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The force of the projectile shredded his forehead, causing multiple fractures and significant brain tissue loss. Witnesses immediately provided first aid before rushing him to a nearby hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery to reduce intracranial pressure and repair some of the damage.

However, his condition remains dire.

The violent clashes erupted during a protest against the Argentine government, leading to at least 124 arrests and 46 injuries—26 among security forces and 20 among demonstrators.

A police officer also required surgery after being shot in the arm, and rioters torched a police car amid the chaos.

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Grillo, an independent photographer and former student at the National University of Lanús, is well known for his passion for Independiente, one of Argentina’s most celebrated football clubs.

His family is calling for justice as the country follows his struggle for survival. Lanús mayor Julián Álvarez expressed solidarity, stating that the Argentine public is deeply affected by the tragic incident and hoping for his recovery.

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Source: Man loses part of brain after being hit in head with tear gas canister during riot