163 tourists rescued after snow traps them in remote Catamarca

A large-scale rescue operation successfully extracted 163 tourists who became trapped by severe snowstorms and high winds while traveling to the Balcón del Pissis in Catamarca, Argentina. The group's vehicles were immobilized by the snow, prompting the establishment of an Emergency Operations Center to manage the complex rescue efforts.

After two tense days, all individuals have been brought to safety and are reported to be in good health. Approximately 131 people reached the base camp at kilometer 0, while the last group of around 30 was sheltered at the Tres Quebradas mining camp before continuing their journey to Fiambalá, the closest town. The operation faced extremely adverse weather conditions, including temperatures as low as minus 14 degrees Celsius and strong winds.

Rescuers utilized snow-clearing machinery, cranes, and drones to navigate the treacherous terrain. Some rescuers trekked for hours to reach the stranded tourists. The governor of Catamarca, Raúl Jalil, highlighted the coordinated effort involving provincial emergency services, police, gendarmerie, firefighters, the health ministry, and local mining and tourism companies. The incident has also brought renewed attention to the need for stricter controls on access to remote tourist areas like Balcón del Pissis, where conditions can change rapidly and unexpectedly.