Cavers missing in Chile

[nickwilliams]

The following has just been circulated on the TSG's members'
mailing list. Please PM me if you want the reply-to e-mail address.

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Reply-To: Anastasios Avgoustidis <withheld>

Dear all,

A former PhD student of ours (School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham) has gone missing while exploring a cave on the Chilean coast. Can you help me find more information about this (e.g. through your contacts with local caving clubs there)?

Here is the info I've got:

It happened on Saturday at the Cobquecura, a cave complex on an island just off the coast of Chile. One person was rescued on the day, but three remain missing in difficult conditions. Apparently 80 people and the navy have been searching, but with no luck so far.

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&u=https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/equipos-de-emergencia-buscan-a-tres-desaparecidos-en-caverna-del-borde-costero-de-cobquecura-tras-fuertes-marejadas/O55424HIGBD75FPEU46HRCHT5A/

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&u=https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/retomaran-la-busqueda-de-los-tres-turistas-desaparecidos-en-cobquecura-a-las-10-horas-de-este-lunes/Z6HL7PV65JFZTGCRJ4BRX2MV2Y/

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I've contacted the BCRC so they are aware and likely watching, but my understanding is that they cannot operate abroad until they receive an official request from the Chilean government. So I guess the best thing to do now is contact the Chilean caving organisation and ask them to explain to the Chilean government that the BCRC is probably their best bet.

Any help on this front (or any other ideas) would be appreciated. Does anyone know anything about these caves, or know where to find some more info?  Perhaps they are just short and simple caves that have been already searched and the suspicion that the missing cavers were washed out to the sea is founded. 

 

[digscaves]

Another article from 4 hours ago.
https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/cobquecura-por-mar-tierra-y-aire-continua-labor-coordinada-de-busqueda-de-los-tres-turistas-desaparecidos-en-sector-de-iglesia-de-piedra/FQKNI5UAXZAL3NEFVOQON3DOKA/

More than a hundred people involved in a coordinated air land and sea search for the 3 missing people.

And from elsewhere on the web there are videos of the caves Google "Cuevas en Cobquecura"

The caves appear to be large but short, mainly sand floored walk through types. Popular with tourists as part of a beach walk. The local tourist info in Spanish does warn about the tides and currents around the small island the caves cut through.

Chile is a well organised place and doubt there is anything we can do at this distance to assist the situation.

Just hope for some positive news.

 

[lumenchild]

Following this, I really hope everyone is ok, 

 

[mikem]

They are not stuck underground (the slippers are later referred to as sneakers, so mistranslation):
https://newsbeezer.com/chileeng/tourists-lost-in-cobquecura-slippers-found-in-search-area-confirmed-national/

Another report (in Spanish) emphasized the complex storm front with high seas, heavy rain & difficult winds:
https://youtu.be/xbQZEePNzz4