Two Mexican hikers have died in the Torres del Paine National Park, in the Magallanes region, in the far south of Chile, and seven others, of unknown nationality, are missing within the site, as confirmed on Tuesday by the presidential delegation in the area. The tourists, who participated in a circuit of trekking in Chilean Patagonia, they were reported missing this Monday. Heavy snow and wind have made it difficult to search for the rest of the travelers with whom contact has not yet been established.
The accident occurred while the deceased – a man and a woman – were taking a ride trekking of the “O”, which goes completely around the park, in the midst of snowfall and strong winds that suddenly arrived on site.
The man was found dead inside the park on Monday, while the woman, found hypothermic, died on Tuesday while being taken to Camp Perros, said the presidential delegate of Última Esperanza province, Guillermo Francisco Ruiz. The visitors, who were with a third person who remained missing, visited the Los Perros sector of the park, near John Gardner Pass.
Bad weather was the main problem emergency teams faced in finding the rest of the missing people, whose identities or countries of origin were not revealed. Carabinieri General Marco Alvarado Díaz, head of the Magallanes area, said the weather conditions did not allow for either an aerial search or an air rescue operation. “The weather conditions at this moment are not suitable for operating in the air, the helicopter is not capable of operating at this moment, we hope that during tomorrow it will remain in the air. However, the conditions would not allow us at this moment to carry out any type of operation, neither aeromedical evacuation nor transfer by air,” he said.
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.
