A retired Chilean army colonel has made new allegations about the number of people who disappeared during the 17-year rule of General Pinochet.

Colonel Olagier Benavente revealed that the bodies of those killed were thrown from helicopters into the Pacific Ocean or into the Andes mountains.

A retired Chilean army colonel has made new allegations about the number of people who disappeared during the 17-year rule of General Pinochet.

Helicopters

Colonel Olagier Benavente revealed that the bodies of those killed were thrown from helicopters into the Pacific Ocean or into the Andes mountains.

More than 3,000 people were killed during Chile's years of military government from 1973 to 1990.

The bodies of more than 1,000 have yet to be found.

The Colonel, a former army commander in southern Chile, made his comments in interviews given to two Chilean newspapers.

His claims have long been suspected here, but have been difficult to prove.

Unmarked

According to Colonel Benavente, other bodies were buried in unmarked graves in cemeteries.

Since Chile's return to democracy, there have been repeated attempts to find out what happened to those who went missing during the countries years of military rule. So far, these efforts have come to nothing.

In his interviews, Colonel Benavente said that the Chilean army would never reveal what happened to those who disappeared.

But human rights campaigners here say they are hopeful that progress can be made.

Earlier this month, a judge investigating alleged human rights abuses during Chile's years of military government ordered the arrest of five retired military officers.

The officials are accused of leading an army squad which has become known as "the caravan of death".