Three stranded Israelis rescued in Chile

After accidentally diverting from a trek trail, three Israeli backpackers rescued from a mountain after being stranded there for two days.

Reuters | Published: 02.02.17, 11:48

Three Israeli backpackers were rescued Wednesday by a helicopter from a mountainside in Chile's Puyehue National Park after losing their way and becoming stranded with no possibility of climbing back up.

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The three trekkers, all 22 years of age, first broadcast a distress signal on Monday using a MAGNUS International Search & Rescue satellite SOS device, which faciliated the rescue efforts led by search teams who eventually managed to evacuate them to a nearby guest house.

The three became stranded on Monday as the sun began to set, and were unable to set up camp due to the difficult terrain. Having lost their way after straying from the trek trail, they wound up in a dense jungle with no ability to make their way to safer areas.

Rescue crews from Israel’s Harel insurance company and Magnus International Search and Rescue assisted in the search, in cooperation with the Chilean company PassportCard.

MAGNUS International Search & Rescue control center, Wednesday

The Israeli embassy in Chile and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also oversaw the rescue effort at every step. Israel's deputy ambassador to Chile, Jonathan Barel, confirmed at 2pm that two of the backpackers had already been located and extricated, after which the rescue helicopter returned to evacuate the third and final backpacker.