Two Israelis Killed, Others Injured Seriously in Chile Boating Mishap

YERUSHALAYIM
The scene of the accident. (Armada de Chile)

Two Israeli tourists were killed and several others were injured when the boat they were sailing in while touring Chile capsized.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the victims were aged 71 and 61 and that their families have been notified of the tragedy.

Another four Israelis were severely injured in the accident, and 10 others sustained light injuries. All the victims, tourists in their 60s and 70s, were evacuated to local hospitals in the south of the country.

The Israeli consul in Chile, Leon Suissa, arrived at the hospitals to assist the Israeli victims.

The Israeli ambassador to Chile, Eldad Chayat, and the Department for Israelis Abroad in the Consular Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are monitoring the “difficult incident” and are in contact with the injured and with the relevant authorities in Chile, the Foreign Ministry stated.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Chayat was arranging to transport the Israelis home.

Chayat told Yediot Acharonot that the boat’s driver apparently lost control, and that the conditions on the river were normal. “This is an area popular with tourists, not a destination for ‘extreme’ travelers. In recent weeks there have been heavy rains in the area and apparently the flow of the river was stronger than the boat’s crew expected. It does not appear to be a case of negligence,” he said.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!