Protesters storm Mexico Coca-Cola plant, take hostages

CHILPANCINGO, Mexico, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Teacher trainees protesting the disappearance of 43 students attacked Mexico's largest Coca-Cola bottling plant and held three employees hostage overnight before releasing them Thursday.

The trainees from the United Front of Public Guerrero State Teacher Training Schools (FUNPEG) and the CETEF teachers have been protesting the students' Sept. 26 disappearance after clashes with police. The students were declared dead in January.

Mexico's El Milenio, reported that Wednesday's protesters took Coke merchandise from several hijacked delivery trucks.

The Guerrero state government said the group was trying to damage the plant, throwing gasoline bombs. Four police officers, two reporters and four protesters were injured.

Protesters and Coke officials negotiated the release of the three employees, after Coca-Cola agreed to drop all charges made against three particular protesters.