Dozens stranded after avalanches hit Chile’s Maipo Province

On June 25, 2024, two avalanches cut off two towns and a ski center in Maipo Province, Chile, leaving dozens isolated.

According to local authorities, heavy snowstorms left large piles of snow over mountain towns in the Maipo Province, east of Chile’s capital Santiago, causing road closures and cutting off two small towns in Cajon del Maipo as well as a ski center.

“The 20 people isolated in Lagunillas, in the Cajón del Maipo were rescued. 10 people went down from Baños Morales to Lo Valdés and there are still 3 people isolated,” said Alejandra Cortes, a federal government delegate to Cordillera province.

“We are doing everything possible to reach them and take them to a safe area, in the next few days, authorities will attempt to set off a controlled avalanche to clear snow if it does not occur naturally first,” she added.

At Lagunillas Ski Center, 33 people were trapped, including eight children, Lieutenant Colonel Bernardo Leiva of Chile’s national police said. “No people were injured (at the ski resort), and food has been brought to them,” he added.

Access to the road in the mountains was blocked by a second avalanche that caused a snow buildup of 10 m (33 feet), leaving nine people trapped in the town of Banos Morales and 20 stuck in Lo Valdes, according to Cortes’ office.

As of June 25, all the residents of Banos Morales have been evacuated successfully.

References:

¹ Avalanches leave dozens stranded in Chile mountain towns – Reuters – June 25, 2024

Featured image credit: Chile Government (stillshot)