Authorities in Chile have reported the discovery of the bodies of a British woman and four other tourists in the mountainous Torres del Paine National Park.
The victims, who were found on Tuesday afternoon near Chile’s southern tip, included two Mexican nationals (a woman and a man) and two German nationals (a woman and a man), according to José Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate of Magallanes.
Reports indicate that the tourists lost their lives on Monday following an intense snowstorm with wind speeds exceeding 120mph, comparable to a Category 3 hurricane. They reportedly strayed off course near the Los Perros camp in the park, a location only reachable by a four-to five-hour hike from the nearest accessible point by vehicle.
José Antonio Ruiz emphasized the challenging terrain of the national park, stating, “For people unfamiliar with the national park, it is a vast area, very difficult to access, whether by vehicle or truck. We are currently coordinating evacuation and consular procedures due to the nationalities of the deceased.”
Preparations are in progress for the evacuation of the bodies via an Air Force helicopter once weather conditions permit, with authorities having sealed off the area for safety.
Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978, Torres del Paine is a popular destination in Chile, attracting over 360,000 visitors in 2023, as per the latest figures from the country’s National Forestry Corporation.
A spokesperson from the Foreign Office informed the Mirror, “We are closely liaising with local authorities following the incident in Chile.”
This tragic event follows a recent avalanche in the Alps where three tourists lost their lives and two others went missing. The avalanche occurred in the South Tyrol region, claiming the lives of a woman and two men as it descended Cima Vertana in Italy’s Ortles Mountain range.
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