Avalanche on Peru's Huascarán kills one, injures two during search for missing climbers

An avalanche on Peru's Huascarán mountain on Thursday, July 16, resulted in the death of one porter and injured an Indian tourist and a local guide. The incident occurred in the La Canaleta sector, a common route for ascending the peak, while specialized teams were actively searching for three Peruvian mountaineers who disappeared days prior.

The snowslide happened around 7:30 a.m. at an altitude of approximately 5,500 meters. Rescue brigades, police, and mountain specialists immediately launched aid and evacuation operations. The area remains high-risk due to challenging weather and snow accumulation, complicating expedition efforts.

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The Association of Mountain Guides of Peru informed that the guide Edgar Laveriano and the foreign visitor managed to be attended and evacuated without their lives being in danger.

The Association of Mountain Guides of Peru confirmed that the injured guide, Edgar Laveriano, and the foreign tourist were evacuated and are not in life-threatening danger. However, the porter, whose identity has not yet been officially released, died at the scene after being struck by the avalanche. The Regional Emergency Operations Center (COER) in Áncash confirmed the fatality.

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The porter died at the scene after being rendered unconscious by the impact generated by the avalanche.

Rescue operations involved various organizations, including the National Police's High Mountain Rescue Division, Peruvian Andean Rescue, and the Association of Mountain Guides. The Regional Government of Áncash coordinated with the Peruvian Air Force to provide a helicopter, aiding in the transport of the injured and the recovery of the deceased. Operations continue under strict safety measures due to the unstable terrain.

Simultaneously, efforts persist to locate the three missing mountaineers: Alejandro Ugarte, Artidoro Salas Gaytán, and Freddy Mendoza. Rescuers, police, and air force personnel are involved, but poor weather conditions have hindered progress. Family members of the missing climbers reported that Ugarte's last communication included a request for drones and helicopters, as the group was lost with only basic equipment. Smartwatch data may provide crucial coordinates for the search.

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The last communication from Alejandro Ugarte included a request for drones and helicopters, due to the group being lost and only having basic equipment for the trek.