Cornwall PR Among Five Tourists Killed in Patagonia Blizzard
A British woman has been named as one of five tourists killed during a devastating snowstorm in Patagonia, Chile. Victoria Bond, a PR professional based in Cornwall, lost her life on Monday when her trekking group was caught in a blizzard with winds reaching a terrifying 120mph – equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane.
Desperate Search and Rescue Mission
The tragedy unfolded in the renowned Torres del Paine nature reserve, Chile's most visited spot, famous for its dramatic granite peaks. The group of nine travellers went missing near the park's Los Perros camp, an area requiring a four-to five-hour trek from the nearest vehicle access point.
More than twenty people were involved in a desperate search and rescue operation. The alarm was raised when an American holidaymaker, Arab Ginnett, shared a harrowing plea for help in the 'Torres del Paine, Chile' Facebook group, used by foreign visitors for excursion information.
The message read: "We are at Los Perros camp... The weather has turned very bad. We are snowed in and people are still out on the pass. Very strong wind, 120 mph... We need urgent help, climbers and rescuers are at the risk of dying based on our current situation."
A Life of Adventure Cut Short
Victoria Bond, who worked in PR for Visit Isles of Scilly, was a well-travelled and experienced adventurer. Her social media showcased recent trips to Athens, Barbados, and Costa Rica, and she had described a catamaran journey as a "10/10 life experience".
The last video on her Instagram, captioned with characteristic humour, showed her on the first day of the Patagonia O-Trek. She had written: "Day 1 of the Patagonia O-Trek: also known as 15km of why the f**k did I fly 8,000 when I could've walked round Bodmin Moor in a light drizzle?"
José Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate of Magallanes, confirmed the five fatalities. The other victims were identified as two Germans, Nadine Lichey and Andreas Von Pein, and two Mexicans, Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel.
Chilean president Gabriel Boric expressed his condolences on X, stating: "To the families, friends and loved ones of the five people of Mexican, German and British nationality who regrettably died in the tragedy... I send my most sincere condolences."
