2 Israeli hikers missing in Chile located
Romi Givon and Tal Bar, feared missing in Villarrica National Park, found safe and sound after two-day search
Happy ending: Romi Givon (21) and Tal Bar (21), the two Israeli hikers who went missing for two days in the Villarrica National Park in Chile were found safe and sound on Tuesday afternoon, according to Tami Bar, Tal's mother.
Bar told Ynet that the girls have been airlifted to safety.
The two female hikers were reported missing by members of their trekking groups, who were touring the national park, situated in the Andes mountain range.
The six-people group reportedly left on trek of the area over the weekend, eventually splitting into two groups. The first group of four found itself stranded due to severe weather conditions, but eventually managed to contact the Foreign Ministry, which alerted local authorities. The four were rescued from the area safely.
Once rescued by Chilean forces, the four reported they originally had two other hikers with them. A search was initiated for the two, but one of the theories was that the girls were able to leave the area on their own, and were oblivious of the fact that they are considered missing.
Romi Givon with Omri Donyo in Chile
Ran Givon, Romi's father, along with an Israeli rescue team, was scheduled to fly to Chile in the evening to assist in the search.
The 138,600 acre Villarrica volcano is dominated by the Villarrica volcano, which towers at an altitude of 9,338 feet and in considered most active volcano in South America. The weather in the area is notoriously fickle, and is characterized by heavy rain, fog and low temperatures.
Prior to the girls being found Givon told Ynet that his daughter and her boyfriend, Omri Donyo left for South America about two week ago, adding that "they left for the Villarrica trek a group of two boys and four girls. At some point Romi and her friend decided they wanted an easier hike and split from the group," he said.
The six, he added, were supposed to rendezvous three hours later, but the group of four apparently wondered into a ravine and ended up spending the night there. The boys decided to go for help, marking a 10-mile trail with clothes and rocks. The rescue party followed the trail back to the girls left in the ravine using a light plane, since the weather was too bad to use a helicopter."
Ilana Curiel contributed to this report
Initial information received via Red Email
