British woman among five tourists killed during fierce snowstorm in Chilean national park

A British woman was among five people found dead in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, authorities have confirmed.

The bodies, including two Germans and two Mexican citizens, were found Tuesday after a snowstorm in the popular tourist destination of Patagonia.

Jose Antonio Ruiz, presidential delegate of Chile’s southern Magallanes region, said talks had begun with representatives of the victims’ countries of origin to repatriate the bodies.

Magallanes’ presidential delegate identified the victims, adding: “We appreciate the efforts of all civilian, military, public and private institutions involved in this operation.”

The region was hit by a snowstorm that caused whiteout conditions with wind speeds exceeding 193 km/h (120 mph), the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.

Torres del Paine National Park, with its jutting mountain peaks and boreal forests, spans approximately 1,810 square kilometers (700 square miles) and hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The search for the victims has ended and authorities are now focusing on repatriating the bodies and contacting foreign consulates, officials said.

It was learned that 4 more people were found alive.

Map: Torres del Paine National Park

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font paid tribute to the “tireless” search and rescue teams working amid “heavy” snowfall and winds reaching 198 miles per hour.

In his post on

“Know that you have the full support and cooperation of the Chilean authorities and institutions in these difficult times.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment.