A violent snowstorm in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park has claimed the lives of five tourists.
On Monday, November 17, sudden extreme weather, with heavy snowfall and gusts up to 193kph, caught a group of international hikers on the “O” Circuit trek in the remote Los Perros–Paso Dickson sector.
The bodies of two deceased hikers, both Mexican nationals, were recovered first. Later today, three more were found dead: a German man and woman, and a British woman. These three were among the seven originally reported missing. Four others have been located alive, and there are currently no missing persons.
Search-and-rescue operations involved around 30 park rangers, military personnel, and specialized teams. They continued their work despite poor visibility and strong winds, according to La Prensa Austral. Since everyone is now accounted for, the search has been called off.
Authorities have closed parts of Torres del Paine National Park.
