Nine Peruvian police officers who were being held captive by indigenous protestors have been killed in a rescue attempt. Peruvian soldiers freed 22 captives; seven police officers are still missing.

Indigenous Indian demonstrators seized 38 police officers following a bloody confrontation on Friday which left at least 33 people dead, including 22 tribesmen and 11 police officers. The demonstrators had threatened to set fire to an oil pumping station owned by the state oil company PetroPeru if the police refuse to withdraw.

On Friday, police opened fire on demonstrators who had set up blockades near the town of Bagua. Eyewitnesses say police used live ammunition and fired at the demonstrators from helicopters.

The indigenous population says large companies and government officials profit from the natural resources in the region. The protestors are demanding that the local population receive a share of the proceeds.