Five tourists die in devastating snowstorm in Chile

Five tourists die in devastating snowstorm in Chile

A tragic accident occurred in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile when a violent snowstorm broke out. As vienna.at reports, five tourists were killed, including two Germans, two Mexicans and a British woman. The unfortunate hikers were surprised by the sudden snowstorm while on a trekking tour.

The dangerous weather conditions, which reached speeds of over 120 mph, led to so-called whiteout conditions. These are characterized by the fact that visibility is almost completely lost and hikers become disoriented, as 20min.ch explains. The scene of the accident was difficult to access as the group was near the Los Perros camp, which is a few hours' walk from the nearest road.

Search operations and rescue

Rescue teams searched for hours for the missing people. They managed to rescue four other members of the trekking group alive while the five victims were found. The situation was life-threatening as the icy wind and heavy snow made rescue efforts significantly more difficult. The Chilean government has been in close contact with the military to send specialized forces to the region. The affected area was completely cordoned off after the incident to ensure safety, reports bild.de.

The national park as a tourist magnet

Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1978, attracts around 600,000 tourists annually. Known for its spectacular granite mountains with heights of around 2,700 meters and rugged mountain panoramas, the region is considered one of the most famous hiking areas in South America. The incident not only shocked the local community, but also prompted Chilean President Gabriel Boric to express condolences and pledge support to the victims' families.