January 18, 2001 10:54

STUNG!

The star was given the honour by the Chilean government just days ago...

A human rights award given to STING by the Chilean government is reported to have been stolen, just one day after it was awarded to him by the country's Foreign Minister.

As previously reported on NME.COM, the ex-Police mainman visited Santiago (January 15) to be awarded with a medal, founded in honour of the Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral.

Sting is well known in Chile for penning 'They Dance Alone' in the '80s, a song inspired by the mothers of those who went missing under the rule of Chile's military leader, General Augusto Pinochet.

Now, according to Reuters, thieves broke into his dressing room while performing a soundcheck, prior to a show in Buenos Aires in Argentina on Tuesday (January 16).

The thieves made off with a holdhall of Sting's "personal effects", and although the local authorities would not confirm in detail what had been taken, local newspaper Pagina 12 claim the award was among the items.

Sting continued with his show at the 26,000 capacity Velez soccer stadium without further incident.