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Body of Missing Climber Recovered on Chilean Side of Cerro Santa Elena

Drone detection on the Chilean side triggered a cross-border recovery led by Argentine teams.

Overview

  • The rescue patrol recovered the body Wednesday after police drones located it near the summit on Tuesday around 10:30 a.m. at about 4,200 meters on the Chilean flank.
  • Patrulla de Rescate and Gendarmería led the high‑mountain search, and helicopter use was limited by weather while drones proved decisive.
  • The 38-year-old reached the summit Sunday, told his partner he would descend to his car at the Cristo Redentor monument in about three hours, and then lost contact.
  • Carabineros de Chile authorized Argentine personnel to cross the border so teams could descend the remains through steep, technical terrain.
  • Authorities have not released the name pending forensic confirmation, and investigators are reviewing the cause with an accidental fall during the descent as the leading hypothesis.