Police and the Army rescued 37 bus passengers and 20 motorcyclists on Tuesday night after they became stranded on international Route 27-CH in the mountain area of San Pedro de Atacama, in the Antofagasta Region. They were traveling from the Jama border crossing with Argentina toward San Pedro de Atacama.
According to BioBioChile, the blockage began when a truck lost control because of ice on the roadway and its load spilled across the road, blocking passage. The driver was uninjured, according to the police report.
The travelers were exposed to ice, strong winds and altitude-related risks at kilometer 74 of the route. Among the 37 people aboard the bus were four older adults. The motorcyclists remained exposed to the elements. One woman in the group suffered a left shoulder injury after a fall, and her medical assessment was still pending when the report was issued.
The emergency brought out patrols from the Second Police Station in San Pedro de Atacama, with reinforcements from the Toconao Police Post and a patrol from the Special Police Operations Group (GOPE). Police prioritized evacuating those with symptoms of acute mountain sickness, preexisting conditions or greater vulnerability.
According to the 22:15 report, Army personnel began taking the 20 motorcyclists down to lower elevations in a military truck. Ice and snow on the roadway made access difficult for support vehicles, so teams assessed each transfer based on road safety conditions.
Captain Emanuel Guerra, deputy chief of services at the 2nd Police Station in San Pedro de Atacama, explained that they responded to "people who became stranded because of weather conditions involving ice and strong winds". He added that the group would be taken to the Hito Cajón area to receive first aid and have their identities recorded.
Police set up reception and registration points for all evacuees and coordinated their transfer to a healthcare facility. The operation continued until around midnight, alongside the Army and provincial authorities.
Chilevisión reported that everyone is now safe and had been taken to a healthcare facility. Police said they would provide a definitive account and the final number of people rescued once the information had been compiled.
