A devastating snowstorm in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park has left five hikers dead and sparked widespread criticism over the handling of the emergency. Survivors of the November 17 storm, which brought winds of 190 km/h and temperatures that felt like -20°C, are demanding answers from authorities and travel operators.

Survivors' Anguish and Criticism

Robyn Lewis, an Australian survivor, voiced her frustration over the slow response from the Chilean government, the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), and travel operators Las Torres hotel and Vertice. "The lack of care demonstrated was really upsetting," Lewis told the BBC, highlighting the absence of timely warnings despite poor weather forecasts.

Emily Dong, another survivor from Sydney, recounted the harrowing experience of crawling across ice sheets under the relentless storm. "We feared for our lives," she said, describing how the group was misled about available shelters, which were found locked.

Communication Failures and Emergency Response

The storm claimed the lives of a British woman, a German couple, and a Mexican couple, all succumbing to hypothermia. Survivors criticized the absence of park rangers, who were unavailable due to mandatory voting in Chile's presidential election. Mauricio Ruiz, Conaf's regional director, acknowledged the communication failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.

Las Torres and Vertice have expressed their condolences and are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Vertice clarified that most tourists embarked on self-managed hikes, and the company was not responsible for guiding them. Both companies have pledged to assist authorities in reviewing safety protocols.

Calls for Improved Safety Measures

The survivors, including more than 50 individuals, are now calling for significant changes to ensure hiker safety in the future. They argue that the park should have been closed given the severe weather conditions and the absence of rangers.