A British woman was among five tourists who died in a blizzard at a Chilean nature reserve on Monday, according to regional authorities.
The fatalities in Patagonia included two German nationals and two Mexican visitors, whilst four more individuals survived the incident.
Regional government representative Jose Antonio Ruiz confirmed the death toll after initial reports suggested two people had died, with seven unaccounted for.
The survivors’ nationalities and medical conditions have not been disclosed by officials.
The unexpected blizzard struck at Chile’s premier international tourist destination, Torres del Paine.
Military personnel and police were drawn into the search of the nature reserve – which sits around 1,740 miles from capital Santiago in the southern Patagonian region.
Some 24 people and one search dog joined up with rescue efforts, but helicopters were unable to fly due to the adverse weather.
Forecasters had predicted challenging conditions for the area, with sleet and strong winds creating hazardous circumstances for those exploring the park’s walking routes.
Torres del Paine is known for its towering granite formations
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GETTY
According to Juan Carlos Andrades from the Senapred emergency response agency, the area experienced sleet and powerful winds that severely compromised visibility.
These conditions potentially caused walkers to lose their way and wander from established pathways within the park.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his sympathies to the families of the dead on social media.
He said: “Regarding the unfortunate accident involving foreign tourists in Torres del Paine National Park, I would like to recognize the teams from Carabineros, the Army, Socorro Andino, and Conaf, who have worked tirelessly and from the very first moment on search, rescue, and now evacuation efforts for the people lost in the area, amid intense snowfall and winds of up to 190 kilometers per hour.
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Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his sympathies to the families of the dead
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REUTERS
“To the families, friends, and loved ones of the five individuals of Mexican, German, and British nationalities who tragically lost their lives in the incident that occurred in Torres del Paine, I extend my deepest condolences.
“Know that you have the full support and collaboration of Chilean authorities and institutions during these difficult times.”
The UK Foreign Office has so far not confirmed the identity of the British woman.
However, a spokesman said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Chile.”
Torres del Paine is renowned for its towering granite formations, glacial landscapes and diverse fauna.
It was given Unesco status as a biosphere reserve in 1978.
The reserve remains one of South America’s most popular destinations for international visitors, drawing hundreds of thousands annually.
Official statistics from the Conaf national forestry organisation indicate that the reserve welcomed over 367,000 visitors during 2024.
