This is the shocking moment an MP punched a colleague in the face when an argument started during a parliament session in Chile.

Security cameras in the country's Chamber of Deputies in the city of Valparaiso captured MP Gonzalo de la Carrera of the Republican Party squaring up to MP Alexis Sepulveda of the Radical Party on August 30.

Astonishing footage shows how the meeting descended into chaos with the parliamentarian striking the
Vice President of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies in the face. It happened in the parliament's lower house of government.

Several other legislators stepped in between the pair to diffuse tensions before the fight could escalate further.

Raul Soto, president of the Chamber of Deputies, said Sepulveda had confronted de la Carrera, who was allegedly heard insulting female lawmaker Deputy Marcela Riquelme.

After the attack, De la Carrera also acknowledged his violent actions but defended himself saying Sepulveda had provoked him by pushing him.

The Radical Party, of which Sepulveda is a member, condemned what they called an 'outrageous' attack, saying: 'We repudiate the parliamentarian's violence and announce our support for Alexis Sepulveda in all legal actions that are undertaken.'

Officials from the government are investigating the fracas.