British Woman Identified in Patagonia Trekking Tragedy
A British woman from Cornwall has been named as one of five foreign tourists killed during a severe blizzard at a nature reserve in southern Chile. Victoria Bond, believed to be 30 and working in public relations, was among the victims caught in unexpectedly brutal weather conditions while exploring the famous Torres del Paine reserve.
The tragedy unfolded on Monday when the group of tourists were surprised by extreme weather patterns in the Patagonian park, located approximately 1,740 miles south of Chile's capital Santiago. The reserve, celebrated for its dramatic granite peaks, spectacular glaciers and diverse wildlife, represents Chile's most visited destination for international tourists.
Deadly Conditions in UNESCO-Protected Wilderness
The victims included two Mexican nationals, two German citizens and the British woman, all of whom succumbed to conditions involving heavy rainfall and winds reaching extraordinary speeds of up to 120mph. Regional government official José Antonio Ruiz confirmed the death toll after initially reporting two fatalities with seven individuals missing.
Victoria Bond, posting on Instagram under the username 'thegingerbreadfox', had shared content from the ill-fated expedition. Another British member of their walking group posted a video documenting their progress before the tragedy struck, showing the trekkers navigating challenging river crossings under grey skies and persistent drizzle.
The social media post provided a poignant glimpse into their experience, with the author remarking: '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?' The message continued with dark humour about the demanding conditions, including multiple river crossings and torrential rain from the very beginning of their adventure.
International Rescue Operation Mobilised
Authorities launched a significant search and rescue operation involving more than twenty personnel after the alarm was raised through a desperate 'Please Help' message posted in a Facebook group used by foreign visitors to the region. The message indicated that English-speaking tourists attempting the challenging Circuit O or Patagonia O-Trek had become trapped by the rapidly deteriorating weather.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his condolences via social media platform 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 that occurred in Torres del Paine, I send my most sincere condolences.' The president assured that families could 'rely on the full collaboration of the Chilean authorities and institutions in these difficult moments.'
The Mexican victims have been identified as Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel, while the German nationals were named as Nadine Lichey and Andreas Von Pein. Four people were successfully rescued alive, though authorities have not yet disclosed their nationalities or current medical condition.
According to Juan Carlos Andrades of Chile's Senapred emergency response unit, weather forecasts for Torres del Paine had predicted sleet and powerful winds that significantly reduce visibility, potentially causing hikers to stray from designated trails. The park, designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1978, attracts substantial numbers of visitors, with recent statistics from the Conaf national forestry body indicating over 367,000 tourists explored the reserve and its network of hiking trails in 2024.
Soldiers and police officers joined the search efforts in the affected zone, which authorities temporarily closed during rescue operations. Ruiz confirmed that discussions have commenced with relevant consuls regarding the repatriation of bodies, with the Prosecutor's Office authorising their movement and prioritising air transport for evacuation.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office told media outlets: 'We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Chile.' The statement confirms British diplomatic personnel are providing support in the aftermath of this devastating incident in one of South America's most celebrated wilderness areas.
