The presidential delegation from the Magallanes region in the far south of Chile confirmed on Tuesday that five people had died in the Torres del Paine National Park, after the loss of a group of tourists taking part in a tourist tour was reported last Monday. trekking in Chilean Patagonia. The discovery occurred in the midst of heavy snow and wind in the area, which had made it difficult for travelers to search. President Gabriel Boric regretted the deaths and highlighted the work of the teams who worked in the emergency.
Magallanes presidential delegate José Antonio Ruiz said rescue teams reached the Perros sector and located the bodies of a German woman, a German man and a British woman. This discovery adds to the discovery of the bodies of a man and a woman originally from Mexico. An initial report spoke of the disappearance of seven people, but the authorities clarified that they have all been located. “We are in a phase of evacuation of these bodies and consular procedures due to the nationality of these people. We know that it is a place of difficult access, where a lot depends on the weather conditions,” Ruiz said. Rescuers are evaluating the weather situation to proceed with the recovery of the body in the next few hours. It is estimated that the best alternative is air evacuation.
Travelers got lost while traveling the Paine Massif circuit, also known as trekking of the “O”, which goes completely around the park, in the midst of snowfall and strong winds that suddenly arrived on site. At 20:00 Monday (Chilean time) the first report on the disappearance of the hikers was delivered.
President Gabriel Boric supported the work of the teams that participated in the emergency operation. “Regarding the unfortunate incident involving foreign tourists in the Torres del Paine National Park, I would like to recognize the teams of the Carabineros, the Army, the Socorro Andino and the Conaf, who worked hard and from the first moment in the search, rescue and now in the evacuation of the missing people in the sector, amid heavy snowfall and winds of up to 190 kilometers per hour,” the president wrote on his X account.
Boric also sent a message of condolence to the relatives of the dead tourists. “To the families, friends and loved ones of the five people of Mexican, German and British nationality, who unfortunately died in the tragedy that occurred in Torres del Paine, I send my deepest condolences”, expressed the president.
Park operators indicated that extreme weather conditions are common in the area, but also reported other situations that would affect the situation. According to the employees’ story, published by the newspaper The thirdAt the time of the disappearance of the tourists, there were no park wardens at the more complex crossings due to the weekly change of shifts, which left critical areas unmanned. The Chilean prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to learn the details of the accident.
The tragedy directly affected Chile’s tourism industry. The executive president of the Federation of Tourism Businesses of Chile (Fedetur), Mónica Zalaquett, expressed her solidarity with those affected and their families. “We reiterate the sector’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all people who visit our country. Chile is recognized throughout the world for its natural heritage and the quality of its destinations, especially in the parks and protected areas that are emblems of national tourism. Precisely for this reason, risk management and correct administration of these territories must be an absolute priority of the State. Timely emergency management, the availability of trained personnel, active prevention and institutional coordination are essential elements to protect those who cross these spaces,” Zalaquett said.
Torres del Paine Park is one of the most important protected areas in Chile and an important tourist attraction in Chile. Located between the Andes mountain range and the Patagonian steppe, about 60 kilometers from the city of Puerto Natales, and known for the beauty of its natural environment, it is home to rivers, lakes, glaciers and the peaks of Paine Grande with the famous rock and granite towers that give it its name.
